A SINGER and well-known local fundraiser has recorded a new album with some of the area's top musicians to raise money for charity.

Whitehaven vocalist Malcolm Dowler has been performing live for more than 40 years, and in that time he has launched a number of fundraising initiatives. His latest effort is to record a collection of classic tracks, in aid of Parkinson's West Cumbria.

The Sky's the Limit, which will be released at the end of this month, features his take on tracks by the likes of The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Donny Osmond, in his own inimitable style.

Also on the record is a collaboration with fellow Cumbrian singer Cathy Marcangelo - a take on the popular song It Had to Be You, made popular by the likes of Andy Williams and Billie Holiday - while there is one track that Malcolm feels is particularly poignant.

He said: "There is a song on the record called Don't Get Around Much Anymore, which I recorded as a duet with a local guy called Frank Chapman, who happened to also be my foreman at work.

"Sadly he died before the song ever saw the light of day, so it will be a special song that I'm looking forward to performing live."

Malcolm will be well-known to Rosehill Theatre audiences, having staged concerts and raised funds for the Whitehaven venue for more than 20 years, and performing at the Final Curtain Call closing night concert before the recent major refurbishment.

Although he has been involved in fundraising for a number of organisations over the year, he was keen to record this album to benefit Parkinson's West Cumbria.

He added: "A family member of mine has Parkinson's, so of course I have seen how it affects people. I wanted to record this album for a cause that is close to my heart."

The Sky's the Limit will be available by contacting Malcolm via www.facebook.com/malcolm.dowler and at upcoming Parkinson's West Cumbria events.