A TOTAL of 72 musicians and five poets contributed to an incredible 24-hour music marathon at The Sanctuary in Watchet.

The event at the weekend raised around £1,000 for victims of the bombing in Gaza.

Organiser Pete Stevenson said: “It was amazing. I stayed awake for the entire 24 hours and I can confirm that it was a great success.

“We were, at times stunned by the quality of the music, especially from young musicians who received standing ovations.”

He added: “Friends, neighbours, local residents and tourists came in their hundreds to enjoy the entertainment. At one stage we had over 100 people when two choirs performed with fantastic quality and energy.

“The desire to make the world a better place was the motivational them of the event and t-shirts and food were sold or auctioned to boost the total raised.

“Thank you to the Mid West Community Association, who worked in partnership with the West Somerset Inter Cultural Friendship Group to promote the event across the county and beyond.

“It was great to make new friends from Poland and also to enjoy folk music from Russia, Ireland and, of course, West Somerset.

“The children produced a remarkable painting on canvas which celebrates the value of peace throughout the world with doves carrying in their beaks the word "peace" in seven different languages including Hebrew and Arabic. This is now to be auctioned.”

Pete also thanked Watchet Baptist Church for the use of The Sanctuary.