THE first of Bolton Music Service’s Christmas concerts got under way in style with six young bands helping the town get into the festive spirit.

The audience were treated to a wide range of festive themed hits at the Bridge Church in Bradford Street on Wednesday night.

Youngsters performed in six different bands, and wowed the audience with Christmas classics such as Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland and The Snowman.

Hitting all the right notes on the night were the Bolton Youth Brass Band, Bolton Intermediate Brass Band, Bolton Senior Brass Ensemble, Bolton Beginners Brass Band, Bolton Junior Brass Band and the Bolton Youth and Intermediate Brass Band. The audience also got in on the act, and joined in with the Bolton Youth and Intermediate Brass Band, who played O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night and Ding Dong Merrily on High for those attending to sing along.

Barbara Ronson, former Bolton councillor and special guest at the concert, paid tribute to the youngsters involved.

She said: "Once again the talented young people of Bolton Music Centre's brass bands have excelled themselves, and performed to a very high standard.

“The hard work and dedication of all of the players was clear to see, and I must congratulate the outstanding teachers and tutors from Bolton Music Service.

“This concert was the first of five concerts that I will be attending over the next 10 days, and I know that they will all be of an incredibly high standard.”

Coming up next on the music service’s festive calendar is an Orchestras’ Christmas concert at the Millennium Chapel in Canon Slade School tonight, the Concert Bands Christmas Awards concert at the Last Drop Village on Sunday, a jazz and guitars concert at Horwich RMI on Monday, and a strings concert at the music centre on December 15.

For more details and for tickets call 01204 333 533.