A PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Lands will take place later this year in a bid to raise funds for a musical charity.

A total of 16 singers from across the Borders will perform in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tiberias and Bethlehem to benefit Musicians without Borders.

But before they dig out their sandals, the Borders Pilgrims will warm-up with two concerts closer to home.

The choir, who perform jazz, traditional and classical as well as religious Psalms, are to perform at St Andrew's Church in Kelso as well as the Holy Trinity Church in Melrose later this month.

A spokeswoman for Border Pilgrims said: "Musicians without Borders works through music education with young children to achieve long-term social change for the children and families involved.

"Operating within three Bethlehem refugee camps, the project starts the children at age four, sitting in the orchestra with paper instruments to get the feel of working together, and making music - or noise - in a safe environment.

"Very soon they graduate to real instruments.

"Around 100 children in the kindergarten classes attend weekly music workshops, and upwards of 160 receive twice weekly lessons after school."

The Border Pilgrims, conducted by Marion Dodd, want to raise awareness of the charity by performing on home soil.

The first concert will be at St Andrew's Church on Sunday, February 23 from 6.30pm.

And the following Friday (February 28) they will perform at Holy Trinity Church from 7pm.

Tickets for both the Kelso and Melrose performances, priced at £10, will be available on the door.