A MUSICAL extravaganza -- the largest of its kind in the borough -- runs next week showcasing the talents of Bolton's musical youth.

The Bolton Schools' music Association's 2002 annual Festival of Music, sponsored by the Bolton Evening News, will feature up to 2,000 schoolchildren from a variety of youth ensembles and more than 50 schools. Almost every primary school across Bolton will have the opportunity to show just what musical talent their young pupils possess, while older children will also be represented with the appearance of four of the town's secondary schools.

Bolton Music Centre will also feature many of its ensembles over the five nights of the town's thirty-fourth Festival of Music, which runs from Monday to Friday, June 17 to 21, 7pm, at the Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton.

Entertainment each night will include 12 separate ensembles, bands or choirs and music performed range from rock 'n' roll medleys, chart songs, music from the musicals and classical pieces.

In addition to the Bolton Evening News, evening sponsors will include local companies W&J Leigh & Co (Paints) Ltd, Lloyds TSB, Harker and Howarth (Music) Ltd, Warburtons and Booth's Music.

Tickets will be available on the door at £2 adults, £1 concessions.