OXFORD folk band Moonrakers will play a benefit concert for Oxfordshire mental health charity Restore for the first time next month.

The charity, which was first set up in 1977, hopes 180 members of the public will see the band play at the Richard Benson Hall in Cowley Road.

They will be supported by the Idle Women at the gig on February 9. The charity, which is based in Cowley Road, hopes it will raise £2,500 to offer recovery groups, training and employment coaching.

Lesley Dewhurst, Restore's chief executive, said: “Restore are thrilled to be supported by Oxford’s very own folk superstars Moonrakers.

"We’re looking forward to an excellent evening of music and tackling mental health stigma across the city. We’re grateful to our friends in Moonrakers for so generously sharing all proceeds from the concert to our mental health recovery work.”

Moonrakers' Jon Bennett said: “What better way to celebrate and applaud the great work that Restore does than to have a fun evening of music just across the road from their centre. We’re really looking forward to this.”

The Oxford Times said the band is 'startlingly talented, performing luscious songs rooted in traditional music."

Tickets are priced at £12 from Restore's website, restore.org.uk