A MUSICIAN is hoping his new record will take off - and raise money for Oxfordshire's Air Ambulance.

John Hobbs, 64, has been playing music since his school days.

In recent years he has been entertaining at residential homes across the county mixing 50s and 60s rock and roll with war-time standards.

Now he has recorded a selection of songs from his gigs and the money raised from the CD will be donated to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

The air ambulance was stationed at White Waltham, near Maidenhead, but from tomorrow will be based at RAF Benson.

Mr Hobbs, who lives in North Moreton, said the time had come to make a CD for charity.

"A friend of mine did the recording and his father, who lives in France, had recently been airlifted to hospital - that's how we decided on the charity.

"We got together and spent a year in his studio in Appleford doing it."

The end result was A Wing and a Prayer, including covers of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.

Mr Hobbs said: "There is an emphasis on the sing-a-longs because the people I entertain like that - but they enjoy the later stuff too."

Mr Hobbs formed his first band, The Gang Busters, with three school friends from Wallingford in the late 50s.

The band, who are still playing today, landed a record contract in the early 60s and supported many famous names, including Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Head of fundraising at Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance, Stevie Horton, said: "We really appreciate John's work and his CD - and it has a rather nice title.

"We rely completely on fundraising such as this. People who raise money know they are helping to save lives."

A Wing and a Prayer, £7.50, is available at Mr Hobbs' shows or by calling 01235 819475 and all the proceeds will be donated to the air ambulance.