URBAN poets, comedians and singers are teaming up to raise cash to help children struggling to read.

A wide variety of amateur performers from across Berkshire will be taking to the stage from 7-10pm at Sub89 in Friar Street on Friday, May 2, for the fourth annual Jokes Down Town show.

Reading rapper 4Fingaz, aka Mustafa Baba Tunde 'TJ’ Shiyanbola, has been running the annual charity fundraiser since his wife’s best friend Louise Wimbush died of pancreatic cancer in 2010.

It raises vital cash for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity in Hampshire, where Ms Wimbush spent the last two weeks of her life, but this year the rapper has decided to extend the support to Reading-based charity ABC to Read.

He said: “This year we would like it to be bigger and better.

“Louise was a committed and devoted primary school teacher, she loved children and teaching them.”

ABC to Read trains volunteers to help children at primary schools across the county and is currently helping around 300 pupils in 100 schools.

Tickets are £5. To book call TJ on 07960 600 835 or email fingaz2008@hotmail.co.uk