Smithills is currently alive to the sound of music as young musicians limber up for a busy month of May.

The full range of orchestras and bands from Smithills School, also incorporating musicians from Bolton Sixth Form college, will be on show at the annual Spring Concert, May 22, 7.30pm.

School concerts take place three times a year -- usually April, July and December in the main hall.

This time, the Spring event is in May due to refurbishments at the school over the Easter period, and the Smithills School Senior Brass Band's success in the BBC Band of the Year contest.

Director of Music, Chris Wormald, said: "Now the setting is even more suited to show off all our young musicians.

"All our well-known bands and choirs will be on show from our 'flagship' Senior Brass Band to the Senior Concert Band, Senior Jazz (Big) Band, Senior Percussion Band, Senior and Junior Orchestras, Lower School Choir and one or two surprise guests, not to mention our top soloists.

"It should be a night of variety and -- we hope -- top quality."

The school's different bands are sponsored by Keoghs Solicitors, Fort James UK Ltd, Equity Travel (Brighton) and Wallace Printers.

Tickets, £3, are from the school reception on 01204 842382. Unsold tickets are on sale at 7pm from the new box office on the night.

Smithills School Senior Brass Band is then joined by The Houghton Weavers at a Folk and Brass Evening on Saturday, May 26, 7.30pm, at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.

Tickets, £7, concessions £6, are from the Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334400, or Booths Music Shop 01204 522908.