In a real first for the venue, the humanitarian, negotiator and author will guest alongside the Warrington Male Voice Choir on Saturday 4th July.

Concerts programmer David Jordan said the connection between music and Terry Waite were three-fold, adding that it was a series of very coincidental and beneficial events which brought him to The Crossing.

”The first link is the use of music to promote peace and the concert, which falls on the USA Independence Day, is appropriately called Atlantic Crossing - A Concert For Peace,” he said.

”The second is the fact the choir became known as the Choir for Peace for its musical activities which followed on from the IRA bombing in Warrington Town Centre in 1993.”

He added: ”The final link is that after the 1993 incident, Terry Waite became their Patrol and has been with them at many a concert in Ireland where they are particularly welcomed and highly regarded.”

Terry Waite, best remembered for successfullly negotiating the release of hostages in the Lebanon, including John McCarthy and for his own four-year captivity, has spoken in Worksop once before.

But this time he is also supporting the choir whose work for peace he respects so highly, and recently he has announced standing as an Independent MP.

”If I decide to stand for Parliament, it will be to try to bring some fresh air to a political hothouse,” he is reported as saying.

Tickets for the 7.30pm concert are priced £10, £8 (rear seats), £4 (children and students) can be bought by emailing info@crossingmusic.org or by calling the box office on 01909 475421.

And for younger ones, the Acorn Theatre is hosting a matinee performance of The Rainbow Forest – perfect for children aged five and over.

It’s a story full of fantasy, magic and adventure where facts, fun and wonderment have been neatly woven into an entertaining tale to show us the amazing world of our rainforests using a combination of delightful pupptry, original music and subtle lighting and sound effects.

Azar is the King of the Monkeys – the guardian of the Rainbow Tree which is the source of all life in the Rainbow Forest. So what is he doing in the cage of an eccentric zoo keeper?

Through Azar’s visionary dreams and the crazy adventures of Jack the Adventurer we learn about where he has come from and where he is going. Watch out, here comes the forest!

Tickets for the 2.30pm show at the Queen Street theatre are priced £5 each and can be bought by visiting www.acorntheatre.net or by calling 01909 501817.