BURY only orchestra is taking to the stage for two concerts in the coming months.

Ramsbottom Choral Society and Orchestra will perform Handel's Messiah on November 25 at Bolton road Methodist Church in Bury.

Conducted by Barry Sugden, soprano soloist and Royal Northern College of Music postgraduate Anne Wilkes will return for the concert.

Fellow college student mezzo-soprano Ingvild Schul Tze-Florey and recent graduate tenor Ryan Hunt will also be performing.

They will be joined by organist Alan Beedie and the choral and orchestra members lead by Julie Proctor.

Members will then be entertaining in the society's Christmas Concert on December 16.

Ramsbottom Concert Orchestra was established more than 30 years ago as an additional part of the choral society.

Rehearsing every Thursday evening in Greenmount Old School Community Centre, in Greenmount Village, its members consist of amateur musicians, music teachers, doctors, students and retired people, all of whom give their services free to the society, which is a registered charity.

It has two further concerts planned for March 24 and May 12 next year and is seeking to enlarge its string section with more violinists and viola players.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Barry Sugden on 0161 761 2985.