»A star-studded charity concert featuring modfather Paul Weller and Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes takes place next week.

The event at the Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, on Thursday, is being curated by BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne and also features soul singer Will Heard and indie band Lanterns on the Moon.

In addition, comedians Dom Joly and Peter Serafinowicz, Scottish writer John Niven and journalist Caitlin Moran will be providing Christmas readings to add a festive feel to proceedings.

Ms Laverne said: “Gaz Coombes and Paul Weller are brilliant live and it’s not often you get the chance to see such big names in such an intimate venue.

“Save the Children’s Christmas Tree Sessions is a great night, for a great cause. I can’t wait.”

All the act is will be donning their favourites Christmas jumpers and the organisers want the audience to wear theirs too.

The event has been put together by Save the Children with the aim of raising money for its Syria Crisis Appeal, which is helping provide food, clean water, medicine and clothing to people displaced by that country’s civil war.

This Christmas, more than one million Syrian children will be living in refugee camps or temporary accommodation, miles from their home. Many have lost or been separated from members of their family.

Fay Hoyland from Save the Children said: “I’ve met Syrian children living in a refugee camp who fled during the night with just the clothes on their back. They’ve experienced atrocious things – their homes destroyed by air strikes and family members tortured and shot. We’re doing everything we can to help these children by providing food, clean water, medicine, clothing and a safe place to play, but we need more funding. The Christmas Tree Sessions is a great opportunity to raise money for these children – a fantastic night of live music and comedy that helps save children’s lives.”

Music on the night will also be provided by the London Metropolitan Orchestra, who have played with Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, U2 and the Pet Shop Boys.

Tickets are £40 and can be purchased from www.savethechildren.org.uk/xmastreesessions and all proceeds will support Save the Children’s life-changing work with children affected by the Syrian crisis.