A GLITTERING array of stars including Wendy Craig, Nerys Hughes and Johnny Ball trod the boards at Chesham High School to raise money for a performing arts centre.

Former Playschool presenter Brian Cant and his wife Cherry, who is the sister of television presenter Fern Britton, organised the event on Sunday to raise thousands of pounds for their daughter's school in White Hill, Chesham.

The star studded line-up saw 17 performers take part including Phil Vickery, Fern Britton, John Leslie, Geoffrey Palmer and Peter Duncan. It was in the style of a cabaret with readings, songs and performances.

The show was a sell-out with the school managing to make about £6,000 from the night.

Brian Cant said they were delighted to see so many of their friends turn up to the event to support his daughter Christabel's school.

He said: "It was a brilliant evening, and it is us saying that and we were in it. We were anxious that it should go well. We were astounded that people who we worked with from a long time ago were happy to come along and support us."

Fern Britton said she was really proud of her sister for organising it would do it again. She said: "It was brilliant and the number of people that gave up their time. My husband (chef Phil Vickery) said it was the first and last time he would sing."

Tim Andrew, the headteacher of Chesham High School, said the audience really enjoyed it.

He said: "It was just a stunning evening and everyone had a brilliant time. There was a real mixture of things like Johnny Ball who did readings and songs, and also did some maths. It was a real eclectic evening. It was all co-ordinated and most of them had spent hours arranging it. Pianist Jonathan Cohen spent all day at the school helping people rehearse."

He added: "We are lucky that two of our parents have been doing all sorts of work in the theatre and has a lot of friends who are actresses and performers."

Other performers included Alan Coates from the Hollies, Lynette McMorrough from Crossroads and Richard Walsh, who played Sicknote in London's Burning.

The school have almost raised enough money to build a new centre at the school.

Mr Andrew added: "We started off thinking we were having to build a free standing theatre for a quarter of a million pounds, but more recently the local authorities said we need more accommodation and were hoping they can build us a number of classrooms. We are close to getting £100,000 now and this is the last push. Hopefully the studio will be built and will really improve drama and dance. It is a very popular subject and we have run out of space to put these subjects on."