Rock music legends visited Cirencester last week following a charity concert.

Former Black Sabbath and Whitesnake musicians were in town to hand over a cheque for 4,500 to World Animal Protection.

The animal welfare charity was favoured by Cirencester-born drummer, Cozy Powell.

A former Black Sabbath and Whitesnake member himself, as well as appearing in numerous other outfits, Cozy died in 1998.

A tribute concert held in Bilston, West Midlands, in December last year. Cozy's original drum kit was used throughout the night.

Musicians included ex-Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin and former Whitesnake and Black Sabbath bassist Neil Murray, Uriah Heep's Russell Gilbrook, The Sweet’s frontman Paul Manzi, Mike Terrana, The Sweet's Tony O'Hora, Thunder's Chris Childs and Harry James, Michael Schenker group members Chris Glen and Ted McKenna, Dare guitarist Vinny Burns and Lionheart's Lee Small.

The cheque was presented by drummer Bob Richards and musicians Ian Richard Wills and Ester Rowley.

Bob said: “World Animal Protection was Cozy’s favourite charity and he would have been delighted to help out with the cause. It was fantastic to get such amazing musicians down for the tribute concert and we hope to do something like this again in the future.”

George White, communications manager at World Animal Protection, said: “We are so grateful to Cozy for his support for animals around the world and to his friends for putting on this amazing concert in his memory. The money raised will go towards giving animals a life worth living around the world.”

For more information about World Animal Protection go to

worldanimalprotection.org.uk