SINGER-songwriter Francis Dunnery returned to Egremont at the weekend to lead fundraising activities to help youngsters in his home town.

A loyal army of fans turned up to take part in a sponsored walk round Ennerdale, which has become a traditional part of Francis’s October fundraising weekend.

The former It Bites frontman, who has carved out a successful solo career in America, where he is now based, hoped the event would raise thousands of pounds for the Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children’s Fund, which he set up in memory of his parents.

All money raised by the fund this year will go to Wyndham School.

The fundraising kicked off on Saturday with an 18-hole charity golf competition at Seascale Golf Club.

Francis also performed a charity concert at Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, that night.