TWO sisters of music climbed on to the Brewery Arts Centre stage last week to say a special 'thank you' to all those who've given them a helping hand.

Cellist and pianist Kate Ashcroft and her flute playing sister Jo, performed a extensive repertoire of works from Haydn, Poulenc and Rachmanioff to McDowall, Schubert, Gluck and Saint-Saens in a Thank You concert to a packed audience in the Kendal arts centre's Malt Room.

The Ashcroft sisters said they were grateful to the many people had supported them particular the highly-regarded Queen Katherine School dream team of Lesley and Bob Talbot; piano teacher Kate Morpeth; flute ace, Suzanne de Lozey, and the Westmorland Music Council.

And the informal event was also the first time the talented instrumentalists have played together in public.

Accompanist was Lesley Talbot on the Steinway.

"We've had so much help from people around here we thought it was time to give something back," said Kate, chuffed to be back on stage with her cello after a lengthy lay-off due to a wrist injury which threatened to curtail her ambitions of becoming a professional musician.

Jo -Year 10 at Kendal's Queen Katherine School - has just landed a distinction in grade 6 flute.

Meanwhile, having left QKS, Kate is doing a desk job awaiting news of a university place to study music.

Proceeds from the recital will go to the QKS music department and the Westmorland Music Council.