Evesham mayor Frances Smith has defended her decision to attend a star-studded charity concert organised by the Church of Scientology cult.

She was one of a number of civic dignitaries from around the country who attended the event at the Scientologists' headquarters in East Grinstead.

The mayor said she had accepted an invitation from the L Ron Hubbard Foundation, unaware that this was an umbrella organisation for the Church of Scientology.

"It was not until we got there and started meeting people that I found out it was connected to this cult," she said.

"They invite civic dignitaries from around the country and there were quite a few chains of office there.

"Our decision to travel that far was because we were being a bit nosy."

However, she said that even if she had known in advance that the cult and the L Ron Hubbard Foundation were the same thing, she would still have gone.

"The invitation was made to the chain and I believe there is a responsibility to attend charitable events to which invitations are sent."