Three and four-year-olds at the Court Estate Pre-School in Rushden took part in a fun day organised by staff in memory of 16-year-old Jessica Dowdeswell, who attended the nursery in 1973.

Staff decided to hold the fundraiser after reading an article in the Evening Telegraph about a concert being partly organised by Jessica’s mother, Joy, in her daughter’s memory.

Jessica died from cancer 21 years ago and the money raised will go towards a new Teenage Cancer Trust music centre.

Nursery manager Annabel Strickland said: “We’re a family-run nursery and have been going for 44 years because we love the children who come to us.

“They never really leave us because we never forget them.

“Jessica came to us when she was little and Joy is a friend of the family so we wanted to do what we could to support her.”

More than 20 children took part in the fun day and were invited to wear fancy dress, which inspired them to turn up as the likes of fairies, princes and Spider-Man.

Miss Strickland said: “All the children really enjoyed themselves.

“It was a lovely way to finish off the term and to say goodbye to the children who will be starting school in September.”

The fundraising concert, called Remembering Jessica, will be held at the Masque Community Arts Centre, Barton Seagrave, from 7.30pm on Saturday, August 30.

Topping the bill is impressionist and comedian Fogwell Flax, who last appeared in the county alongside David Essex in 2007’s Peter Pan pantomime at the Derngate and is flying in from Spain for his guest appearance.

Other acts will include county band The Adventures of Molly, singer and acoustic guitar player Curtis Nice, Harvey Steel’s Indie Band from Kettering, dance group the MK Entertainers, guitarist Nigel Johnson and singer Derek Needle.

There will be a licensed bar and a raffle with prizes including tickets to this year’s Wizard of Oz pantomime at The Royal.

Tickets cost £7.50 and are available on 07800 742165, 01536 720330 or on the door.