AFTER a tour of duty in Afghanistan, Army cameraman Tom Robinson is keen to get back to Bicester and play some music with his friends.

Corporal Robinson has spent the past eight months hanging out of the back of helicopters or in the thick of the action filming troops in combat.

But instead of a getting together for a jam session, he will re-form covers band Copy Cats for one night only to help military charity Help for Heroes.

The band will take to the stage at the Star pub, in Bucknell Road, on Saturday, December 4.

Father-of-one Cpl Robinson, 32, set up the band when he was based at St David’s Barracks, in Bicester, after putting an advert in a music shop.

In January he was posted to Afghanistan as a combat cameraman.

His footage of footballer David Beckham visiting the main British base in Afghanistan at Camp Bastion was shown round the world.

Guitarist Cpl Robinson, who is now based in Salisbury, said: “I went out on the ground with the infantry or wherever the stories happened.

“I cover footage for the media that civilian journalists couldn’t get to, from fighting to the on-going battle to win hearts and minds and VIP visits.

“It’s quite humbling to witness the bravery and sacrifice that some of the soldiers, some as young as 18, make when they come home with life-changing injuries.

“I wanted to see the guys and play some music and Nick Ribeiro said ‘why don’t we make something of it and raise money for Help For Heroes?’. Of all the charities, it’s probably the most appropriate for me.”

Drummer Mr Ribeiro, 39, of Langford Village, said: “It was a combination of that and the fact that Bicester hasn’t had an event like this, bringing together music, the Army and the charity. We thought it was a great opportunity.”

It will be the first time in three years that the Copy Cats, with Phil Wilson on vocals, Chris Stephens on bass and Ian Straughair on guitar, have played together.

Co-organiser Tom Caswell, 34, bass player with Crude Measure, who will also play, said: “It’s an excellent cause and it’s going to be a good event.”

Tickets are available at the pub or online from the Facebook group page bicesterrocks2010.