FORMER That's Life presenter Esther Rantzen and England ex-cricket captain David Gower joined hundreds of people at Winchester Cathedral last night to take part in a charity carol service.

Guests sang along to Christmas favourites helped by the St Swithun's School Pheonix Choir in a fundraising effort for New Forest charity Honeypot.

The charity helps give respite holidays in the New Forest for deprived and abused children - as well as youngsters who care for adults with drink and drug problems.

Also attending the concert was the Mayor of Winchester Councillor Cecily Sutton.

She said the charity aimed to raise at least £12,000 from the concert to help towards its work for under-privileged young people.

She said: "It is very worthwhile. The charity does very good work. Some of the children who come from the inner cities have never even seen a horse. It is frightening that this sort of deprivation still exists."