HUNDREDS of music fans turned out for the first in an ambitious double bill of performances by a Bolton band.

Musicians and singers brought the music of the movies to Victoria Hall on Saturday.

The In Hollywood! gala concert featured film favourites by such as composer John William and Hans Zimmerman.

Joined by special guests the Eagley Brass Band, the Smithills choir and band conjured up memories of superheroes, far off galaxies, fairytales, pirates and even rampaging dinosaurs.

Musical director Chris Wormald celebrates 27 years as principal conductor at Smithills and thanked the hundreds of "amazingly supportive" Boltonians who packed into the hall for concert in aid of Bolton Lions Club.

He said: "It is always a challenge to fill Bolton's largest concert venue and raise as much money as possible for great charities such as the Bolton Lions, so to attract such huge numbers once again as Smithills and Eagley managed on Saturday evening was not only a great thrill for myself and every performer, parent, family member and friend who came, but for the charity too, whose many representatives at the concert were so appreciative.

"Without the support of the Bolton News and the fantastic Bolton public, staging such huge concerts with nearly 300 instrumentalists and singers on stage would be a thankless task, but when all the performers look out from the stage at a packed hall of smiling faces throughout, every ounce of our efforts is worthwhile."

The concert included music from Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, Braveheart, Jurassic Park, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables and, in a first for the musicians, Wicked.

The talented groups return to the hall's stage again on April 22, from 7.30pm, for Smithills annual St George's concert in aid of Bolton Hospice and Help For Heroes.

Mr Wormald added: "Once again we are bringing the full forces of Smithills music to perform a great evening of music and raise as much money as possible for these worthiest of charities.

"I plead that everyone who can get to the concert makes every kind effort to do so and I promise that nobody will be left disappointed by the musical standard, presentation or effort that every single performer makes in yet another Smithills Night of Music."