Austin Healey, Anne Davies and Lars Tharp among guests at NSPCC Christmas Concert in Oakham

Familiar faces from television will be among the guests at a long-running annual fundraising Christmas concert.

The Rutland NSPCC Carol Concert, in Oakham, regularly draws in national and local celebrities to perform amusing and poignant readings from literature.

Special guests returning this year include former England rugby player Austin Healey, Antiques Roadshow expert Lars Tharp, and BBC East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies.

Royal commentator Caroline Aston, barrister David Farrer KC, and Tim Hart, owner of Hambleton Hall, will also read at the concert which takes place at All Saints Parish Church on Monday, December 1 at 7.30pm.

The church will be decked with sparkling Christmas-tree lights and flickering candles, and guests will be greeted by a festive welcome of mulled wine and mince pies.

Carols and Christmas music will be led by the Rowell Camerata and the Ratby Co-operative Brass Band.

The sell-out event has run for 19 years and raised more than £350,000 for the NSPCC supporting local projects for abused and neglected children.

The evening is seen as the traditional start of the Christmas season for many in Rutland, with the Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, and the Mayor of Oakham all attending.

“The event could not take place, however, without the support of so many local businesses, as well as the support of many Rutlanders who turn out in their hundreds to attend,” said organiser Margaret Wheeler.

Doors open for the two-hour concert at 6.45pm with guests asked to be seated by 7.20pm.

Early booking is advised with tickets on sale, priced at £20, from James Sellicks at 6-8 Market Place, Oakham, 01572 724437; The Falcon Hotel, Market Place, Uppingham, 01572 823535.