LEE Mead made a surprise appearance at Priory Park as part of a musical from the West End.

The 25-year-old winner of Any Dream Will Do, a TV talent competition find a new star for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, appeared on stage in his home town, before a performance of West End show the Rat Pack.

The wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of the 4,000 strong crowd, as Lee, a former pupil of Eastwood School, in Leigh, sang his new single Any Dream Will Do before the main show.

He had agreed to sing in support of Southend-based HIV charity Mild-may, which was raising money for its Children with HIV campaign.

It was the rising star's first appearance since winning the battle to play the title role in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Joseph.

Paul Sayer, Mildmay's Rat Pack event organiser, said: "We are so indebted to people like Lee who give their time at probably one of the busiest times of his life to make a difference for these little ones, and to help bring attention to the harsh life that they face without the help of charities like ours.

"We can only do the work we do with the support of amazing people like those who braved some of the worst summer weather we have seen for some years.

"The plight of children who are affected by HIV and Aids is a growing concern - particularly in Africa, where more than 14 million kids are now orphans, and most of those are HIV positive."

After Lee performed, the Rat Pack stars took to the stage to sing hits by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin.

For more information about Mildmay, visit www.mildmay.org