A GIANT of the British jazz scene will be waking up a sleepy village in October when he stops off on a European tour.

King of the Swingers Kenny Ball will be bringing his Jazzmen to St Mary’s Church in Meppershall on Saturday October 9 as part of his 50th Anniversary Tour.

Trevor Thorley chairman of The Friends of St Mary’s, who invited the veteran trumpeter, said: “To agree to come to Meppershall is a fantastic gesture by the great man. For one extra special day sleepy Meppershall might just claim to be the West End of Bedfordshire!”

The church will undergo a transformation with full PA, lighting rig and a bar.

Tickets, priced at �20 and �15, are available by contacting Trevor on 01462 8123357 or trevor.thorley1@btinternet.com