Train strikes and roadworks have hit Sittingbourne's series of free classical concerts in the past few weeks.

But organiser Catherine Orton is hoping to get back to normal this Saturday (Oct 15) with organist Charles Francis.

She said: "Our performers were unable to get to us two weeks ago because of the train strike so I booked a Canterbury-based opera singer to step in. Unfortunately, she got stuck in the A2/M2 traffic and was unable to perform as well!"

Last week she was in "almost daily conversations" with performers Gina and Jean-Samuel who were travelling by car and needed a roadworks-free route into the town.

Catherine said: "Hopefully, this Saturday will be much easier as our performer is organist Charles Francis. Although he is studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire he is determined to beat the traffic jams and will be visiting his family who live locally so his journey should be fine."

The concert at St Michael's church in the High Street begins at 11am. Admission is free but there will be a collection at the end.

Sittingbourne and neighbouring towns have suffered traffic chaos recently as construction work on a new flyover at Stockbury Roundabout on the A249 has closed coastbound slip roads to the M2 forcing many motorists to use the already busy A2 instead.

Catherine added: "Charles is an outstanding organist. It is a delight to welcome him back to Sittingbourne."

The versatile organist has a fast-growing reputation both as an accompanist and soloist across the UK.

Recent engagements have included recitals at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and cathedrals in Truro, Portsmouth and Newcastle. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and has been organ scholar at Birmingham Cathedral for the past two years.

He is also assistant director of music at St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton.