TICKETS to the Mayor of Worcester's final fund-raising event have sold out.

All 140 tickets for the opera evening at Worcester's Guildhall this Sunday have been sold.

The unique event will see the Pavilion Opera company, widely regarded as London's premier touring chamber opera, perform Verdi's La Traviata in the upstairs Assembly Rooms of the historic hall and also raise money for Councillor Ian Imray's chosen charities; Acorns Children's Hospice and the Noah's Ark Trust.

Coun Imray will step down as Mayor on Tuesday, May 15. "I'm obviously sad that my year as Mayor has reached the end but I am delighted that it is being rounded off with an opera in the Guildhall," he said.

"I have no doubt it will be a wonderful evening and it's fantastic that the event has sold out. It's a bit like the cup final! Friends have been on the phone begging for tickets but I can't do anything about it now as they're all gone."

Pavilion Opera has been performing opera in the round, fully costumed and with piano accompaniment, in the great halls of castles and palaces and in clubs and embassies for almost 30 years.

For the Guildhall performance, the company will use a special Steinway concert grand for the occasion.

Behind the organisation of the event is Richard Spalding, whose father was a well-known member of the council and honorary freeman of the city. Coun Imray wanted to thank Mr Spalding for his efforts.

He said: "Throughout my year in office it's people such as Richard that have made my job a lot easier by helping out behind the scenes and have helped me to raise enormous sums for my two chosen charities.

"I am thrilled that he has managed to secure Pavilion Opera for this performance and I have no doubt it will be a night to remember for all of us lucky enough to be there."