MORE than 1,200 schoolchildren packed into the Victoria Hall for a moving Christmas concert.

Music from The Snowman featured alongside other festive favourites for the first Mayor of Bolton’s Children’s Christmas Concert on Friday.

A total of 23 schools and two nurseries from across the borough joined in a holiday singalong led by guest presenter Tom Redmond, who comperes concerts with the Hallé Orchestra.

Patricia Tremayne, business development and fundraising manager for Bolton Music Service, said: “One little boy told me as he was leaving that the music was so wonderful that it made him want to cry.

“This is the first time we have held this concert and, due to its success and the feedback we have had, it will definitely be made into an annual event.”

Many pupils who attended made their own Christmas hats for the concert and percussion instruments so they could play along with the Bolton Music Service orchestra.

Cllr Kevin McKeon, chair of governors for Chorley New Road Primary School, added: “It was a magnificent concert which showcased the talents of so many Bolton youngsters. It certainly put me in the mood for Christmas and I was delighted to see so many of our primary schools attending. The children obviously enjoyed joining in the singing of Christmas songs. I hope this will become an annual event. It is yet another success for our Bolton Music Service.”

Tickets are still available for the music service’s other upcoming Christmas concerts at ticketsource.co.uk/boltonmusicservice