An Oxfordshire editor re-lived his youth in the name of charity when he took to the 'decks' as a guest DJ for a night of 80s soul, funk and reggae in the county.

Courier Newspapers group editor Lawrence Webb was persuaded to join the line-up for the event, in aid of the John Watson School in Wheatley, by old friend and organiser Tony 'Naked' Nanton.

And memories of days gone by came flooding back when Lawrence kicked off the Barns Court ReUnion at The Bullingdon club with a mix of disco and rare groove classics.

Lawrence said: "I grew up in Oxford and before becoming a journalist used to go to Barns Court Youth Club every Friday and Saturday for the discos.

"I was even in a 'sound system' with Tony, though in those early days of Acid House my taste for 70s and 80s 'rare grooves' was always more popular with the older crowd than we normally played to."

With the help of Lawrence and a host of other DJs, more than £800 was raised for the special needs school, which Tony's brother attended before his death 18 years ago.

Lawrence said: "I remember Tony's brother, they used to live round the corner from me, and I got involved in the event when I took over editorship of Passion Magazine, which is linked to a radio station (passion 107.9) that our parent company owns.

"I phoned Tony for help re contacts in the Oxford area - he's been a DJ for years and has played all over the country - and before I knew it I was behind the decks trying to remember what to do!"

To find out more about the event and see pictures, visit www.barnscourt.com

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