CHRISTMAS carols filled the air at a sell-out carol concert which raised £1,500 for Bury Hospice.

Youngsters from Christ Church Walshaw, Unsworth, Holcombe Brook and St John with St Mark primary schools performed at Bury Parish Church to an audience of more than 500.

Also performing at their first public recitals were the newly-formed Bury Community Choir and the Bury Music Service intermediate brass band.

Organiser Katie Geelan, Head of Bury Music Collaborative, said: “We started planning this event in July this year and the support from the public was overwhelming.

“The concert sold out which was a fantastic achievement and we have had so much positive feedback from people who attended.

“Everyone thought it was wonderful and many people who attended were not watching a friend or family member — they just wanted to come to a carol service in the borough. The standard of the children, the Bury Community Choir and the brass band was really high – they all gave polished performances.”

The event will be now repeated next Christmas due to its success and Sarah Brealey, from Bury Hospice’s fundraising team, said she was “thrilled” with how much had been raised.

Sarah added: “What an incredible night it was.

“The children and the community choir both sung beautifully and the brass band, who only formed in September, were absolutely fantastic.”