YOUNG musicians added some extra strings to their bows this week as they tuned up at a special concert for autism.

Over 200 music lovers filled the pews at the Salway Evangelical Church in Woodford Green this weekend for a classical jazz concert, organised by the newly established West Essex Musician (WEM) fundraisers club.

The sell-out concert, which featured a mixture of professional musicians and fresh talent, raised over £1,000 for the National Autistic Society and St John's Roman Catholic Special School in Woodford Green.

Among the musican-fundraisers was 12-year-old Woodford-born violinist Danielle Mac, from Future Talent and Lincoln Minster School and recently accompanied the Duchess of Kent to the Classical Brit Awards where she also met HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

Bancroft School pianist Rebecca Leung also performed along with 10-year-old Matthew Paris from Chigwell, who is appearing in Cameron MacKintosh's Oliver at the Theatre Royal.

The youngsters were accompanied by professional woodwind player Paul West and cellist Tony Woollard, in front of an audience including new Mayor Thomas Chan and Mayoress Pik Sim Chan.

Also present were London Symphony Orchestra's Colin Paris, Stratford and East London Music festival co-organiser Michael Crombie and Woodford Festival 2009 co-ordinator Ron Wortley-Millek.

Betina Duffett of WEM said: "This concert was to raise funds and public awareness of autism. Many thanks to our sponsors Tigerpea, David Rattray Violins and the Village Florist."

Those who were unable to get tickets for the concert have another opportunity to see the performances at the Woodford Festival on October 3.

Tickets are available from All Saints Church, Woodford Wells.