BOLTON Choral Union is 'strictly' not doing its usual Christmas concert this year — after clashing with a popular TV programme.

The choir's Christmas carol fundraiser last year competed with BBC's Strictly Come Dancing final, so members have decided to break from tradition to bring a special Christmas Music by Candlelight concert at Bolton Parish Church on Sunday, December 6.

The church, which has a new state of the art underground heating system, has been transformed into a comfortable performance space and boasts one of the best organs in the country.

The performers include the BCU chorus together with a brass and wind ensemble provided by Bolton Symphony Orchestra, organist Simon Mercer and the percussionist Chris Harrison.

Solo singers include Cameron Hyde, Thomas Hopkinson and Sarah Louise Briggs, as well as local school choir Canon Slade Senior Vocalists.

Stuart Barnes, from BCU, said: "The carol concert used to be our annual fundraiser but sadly over the past couple of years it has clashed with the Strictly Come Dancing final, meaning that it has not been as well attended as it should have been.

"So this year we decided to do something a bit different to capture and recreate the atmosphere of 'real' Christmas.

"We are practicing very hard at the moment and are looking forward to the event, which will feature a mixture of traditional pieces mixed with modern songs."

The programme will include selected Christmas arias and choruses from Handel's Messiah, and a selection of Christmas Carols.

It also includes Missa Carolae by James Whitbourn, which was commissioned by Rochester Cathedral to mark their 1400th anniversary. It very cleverly blends the words of the Mass with well-known carol tunes and was first performed on December 24th 2004.

Other highlights include Berlioz's Shepherds Farewell and O Holy Night by Adolph Adam.

Tickets for the show, which takes place on Sunday, December 6 at 7pm, are £10 (concessions £9.00) which includes. They are available from the BCU Box office on 01254 702979, Booths Music Shop in Churchgate, and at the door on the night from 6.30pm.