PEOPLE of a certain age will remember child singing sensation Helen Shapiro, who took the charts by storm with a series of top five hits in the 1960s.

PEOPLE of a certain age will remember child singing sensation Helen Shapiro, who took the charts by storm with a series of top five hits in the 1960s.

The then 14-year-old went to the top of the charts with Walking Back to Happiness, supported by the Beatles, following it up with more than half a dozen singles.

Now, Thetford residents young and old will be able to enjoy her back catalogue coupled with a series of gospel songs in a special appearance later this year.

In 1990, Ms Shapiro recorded the first of her more recent albums, entitled The Pear, which was followed by Kadosh a year later and Nothing But the Best in 2005 which contained a duet with Sir Cliff Richard.

This later work will be the focus of a live performance at The Church on the Way in Thetford on September 24, interspersed with her chart toppers and talks on her conversion to the Christian faith.

Reverend Paul Hodgson, who leads The Church on the Way, on Grenville Way, said: “I've known about her for years and actually remember watching her on the news coming out of school when she had her number one.

“I also personally watched her first gospel concert in King's Lynn about 15 years ago and I went recently to the one in Bury St Edmunds and she was very good.

“She was very personable and very easy going and very professional. At the end of the evening she comes down from the stage and people are allowed to speak to her.

“I do want to impress though that it's not a concert as although she will be singing, and it's all very good quality, most of the evening is more like an audience with.”

Ms Shapiro has also had a successful acting career playing a series of roles in London West End theatres including Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

In 1993 she published her autobiography entitled Walking Back to Happiness.

For 17 years, until 2001, Ms Shapiro sang jazz with Humphrey Lyttleton and his band and since 2002 has devoted herself to her gospel outreach.

She previously appeared in Norfolk at Hunstanton's Princess Theatre in 2000.

To buy tickets contact the church on 01842 753654 or visit Christian site Network Norwich at www.networknorwich.co.uk/helenshapiro.