The talented musical pupils of Smithills School once again packed out Victoria Hall in their town for a concert in aid of Bolton Hospice.

Busy day

The event rounded off a busy day of an even busier December for the youngsters under MD Chris Wormald, which started with the Community Brass Band rehearsing at 9.30am in the morning.

The Senior Brass Band then played for two hours at Marks & Spencers before preparations were put in place for the evening concert — including another hour's joint rehearsal between the combined Senior Brass Band and Community Choir.

My thanks go to all of our Smithills instrumentalists and singers for another spectacular weekend, and also a massive thanks to a truly amazing team of parent chaperonesChris Wormald

156 days of Christmas counting

2016 has also seen Chris notch up his 156th Smithills concert performances at Marks & Spencer — the first of which was way back in 1990.

He told 4BR: "My thanks go to all of our Smithills instrumentalists and singers for another spectacular weekend, and also a massive thanks to a truly amazing team of parent chaperones (our Smithills 'bucketeer' collectors) who have been with us constantly, every Saturday and Sunday this past month."