TELEVISION crews will be in Bolton next month to film thousands of people going for musical gold.

The BBC is set to feature the town on Songs of Praise just four days before the Commonwealth Games.

Choirs and congregations from across the borough are expected to pack into Victoria Square for the recording on Sunday, July 7.

In total, more than 5,000 people are expected to sing along in the hoped-for summer sunshine.

A choir of 300 schoolchildren will be taking part under the baton of Jane Hampson, head of Bolton Council Schools' music Service.

Other local groups joining in the fun include Smithills School Brass Band and Osagyefo, a drums and dance group set to have the square rocking to an African rhythm.

TV's Pam Rhodes will present the programme along with athlete Diane Modhal. Nigel Swinford from Bromley Cross, will be conducting.

The programme will be shown on BBC1 on Sunday, July 21 -- four days before the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium on July 25.

A limited number of seats will be available at £2 each and people wanting seat tickets should write enclosing an self-addressed envelope to the More Than Gold office, Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton, BL1 2AS for an application form and full details.

The event begins at 3pm but people are advised to start arriving from 1pm.

The Octagon Car Park will be open from 10am to 6pm; Bow Street from 1pm until 6pm and the Market Place Car park from 10am to 6pm by special arrangement with APCOA Parking (UK) Ltd.

Councillor John Byrne, Bolton Council Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games said: "It's going to be a wonderful occasion with so many voices united and raised in song.

"I doubt Victoria Square has ever seen -- or heard -- anything quite like this. We are just hoping that the weather is kind to us."