"I was singing as a soloist in my college choir," says Katherine Jenkins, "and when I hit the high note there was this massive crack.

"The audience in the front rows of the concert hall all ducked because it sounded like a gunshot.

But when I looked up there were all these tiny pieces of glass raining down on me - my voice had smashed the chandelier!"

Plastic cups all round then at this one-off open-air gala, which sees the Welsh mezzo soprano, winner of Album Of The Year at May's Classical Brit Awards, make her first visit to the area.

Having quickly found public favour thanks to a glamorous image and sturdy repertoire of favourites such as Time To Say Goodbye, Jenkins has now become a British treasure, whether singing at the FA Cup Final or headlining the VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square.

But she's more than happy to keep her engagement with local organisers It's Magic, who, in a stroke of either great luck or supreme foresight, booked Jenkins for their charity fundraiser just as she was on the brink of stardom.

"I absolutely love singing outdoors," says Jenkins, who will perform with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra and ENO tenor Andrew Rees. "It's lovely to see people enjoying the music in a relaxed, happy atmosphere."

Having started singing in a church choir at the age of seven, Jenkins, who played both the Berlin and Edinburgh Live 8 concerts last weekend, is now growing more used to the company of pop stars.

But, like her pals G4, she hopes that by making crossover records she can "open a gateway for people to get into other classical music".

"I try to choose songs which are very well known but which haven't been done by too many females," she says, "because it's always said that the men in opera get all the best tunes. On Saturday there will be lots of favourites from my Premiere and Second Nature albums but I'm going to be previewing some of my new songs, too."

This concert is being held in aid of a new community centre in the Ashenground district. There will be food and drinks tents but you're advised to bring your own seating.

Starts 7.30pm, tickets £25/£20, call 01444 455440