Talented Bolton musicians are fine tuning their skills as they prepare to perform at their annual Christmas concert.

Bolton Music Service's festive concert will be on Tuesday, December 12 at 6.30pm at Victoria Halls.

It will feature ensembles with New Century Strings, Bolton Youth Brass Band and Greater Northern Folk among others.

Other events featuring musical ensembles and singers that the service are involved with next month include "A Celebration of Christmas" at 3pm on Sunday, December 3 at Deane Church in Bolton and "Christmas Rocks" at 7pm at Victoria Halls on Tuesday, December 19. 

Meanwhile, there will be a Christmas fair on Saturday, December 9 at the service's Mere Hall venue from 12.30pm to 3pm.

The fair has been organised by the charity Trust Music, a close partner with the music service.

Refreshments, raffle prizes and gift tombolas are some of the activities that will be available, alongside live music provided by the music service.

The success of the music service has spread far and wide as its youth brass band played host to Fountain City Brass Band from Kansas on Wednesday, November 15.

The youth brass band was also given the chance to hear the guest band play alongside performing themselves.

Teacher Toby Hobson said:  "It was just a great opportunity for our kids to hear such high-quality playing.”

The Christmas concert on December 12 also offers a raffle with the opportunity to gain donations towards the music service's "Furthering Talent" programme.

The service works with 60 children across four schools in Bolton, Darwen and Blackburn on the programme, which provides weekly instrumental tuition and termly "Get Together" events.

Tickets for the concerts are available to order on the music service's website.