HUNDREDS of people packed into Bolton Parish Church for the Bolton Police Divisional Carol Service last night.

Senior officers, including Chief Supt Dave Lea, attended the service to enjoy and join in carols sung by local choirs.

Smithills School Senior Brass Band, led by musical director and assistant headteacher Chris Wormald, accompanied the school choirs of Blackshaw Primary in Breightmet and Oxford Grove Primary, together with Bolton Youth Harmonies and the Bolton Music Service Singers. The audience joined in carol favourites such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Once in Royal David’s City, while the schools entertained the audience with more modern carols.

Chief Supt Lea said: “Bolton has a tremendous amount of civic pride and this was shown by the number of people who turned up for this long-established event.

“Services like this are community events, which police officers are proud to be part of.”