An African hospital will benefit from an evening of musical entertainment at the Sainsbury Centre.

The Rotary Club of Norwich, Framingham Earl High School and the Norwich-Dedza Partnership joined forces to put together a variety concert to raise awareness of a project in central Africa helping to improve the lives of women caring for sick relatives in the overcrowded Dedza District Hospital in Malawi.

The programme for the evening had something for everyone, including orchestral, classical, modern, folk, rock and jazz compositions. Led by professional soprano Pip Jenkinson and popular drumming outfit DrumsKin, an array of African music brought the African spirit to Norwich's doorstep.

The Framingham Earl Singers, a local adult choir, then performed a medley of songs as part of a magical line-up of music for Malawi.

As the only government hospital in a district with a population of 600,000, Dedza's cooking facilities are in need of improvement and all proceeds from the concert are to go towards the construction of a covered cooking area, with building work planned to start next month.

Money raised in the past five years has already helped to rebuild shower blocks and provide proper cesspit toilets.

Chairman of the Norwich-Dedza Partnership, Nick Nicholson said: 'We are very thankful to the Rotary Club of Norwich and Framingham Earl High School for organising this event and to all the Norfolk performers, who are sharing their skills and talents to support the much needed refurbishment of the Guardians' Shelter in Dedza.

'Patients and their carers will benefit enormously from Thursday evening's event. Every penny raised will go directly into making essential improvements.'

Mayor of Norwich Keith Driver and Sheriff Graham Creelman were in attendance to witness the inspiring night of music, raising the roof for an African hospital close to Norfolk hearts.