Tom Walker plays secret gig in honour of friend

Tom Walker said Millie Sheppard made smiling, laughing and dancing "look effortless"

Tom Walker played a secret gig in Gloucestershire on Saturday in memory of a close friend who he said "encouraged him to find his inner dancer".

The Brit Award winning singer performed at Mill Fest, held in honour of Millie Sheppard, at Bingham Hall in Cirencester.

Ms Sheppard died last year and her parents are fundraising to build an art block at a school she volunteered at in India.

Actioneers Moore Allen & Innocent hope to add to the £15,000 raised so far by holding an auction, including a signed guitar from Walker.

Mill Fest was organised in Ms Sheppard's memory, and musician Tom Cooper, also a friend of hers, supported Walker.

Her family, who are from Ashton Keynes, are raising funds to create "a lasting memory and living legacy" through The Millie Art Attic at a school in Karur, south east India, where her job took her multiple times.

It is hoped the attic will help children achieve qualifications, with the money funding staff, computers, sewing machines, and other art equipment.

'Career highlight'

Walker said it was an "absolute pleasure" to play at Mill Fest.

"I'm assured by locals this will be a career highlight on a par with the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury," he joked.

"Mil always encouraged me to find my 'inner dancer', something I'm still working on as you'll witness tonight.

"We hope you have a wonderful evening smiling, laughing and dancing the night away, something our dear Millie made look effortless at every gathering of friends, family and loved ones."

Walker has donated a D'Angelico Excel Series guitar from his personal collection to the auction, for which bidding is open until 15 September at 19.00 BST.