UNDOUBTED star of this, the first concert of the new season at Colne, was Richard Howarth, conductor and leader of the orchestra.

His firm authority ensured the high standards of the Camerata were enhanced.

A lively programme was offered, including Mozart's Symphony No 33, Haydn's impressionistic Symphony No 6, Le Matin, Telemann's Suite in A for Flute and Strings, Arnold's Sinfonietta No 1 and Handel's Concerto Grosso opus 6 No 1.

Principal Flautist, John Barrow, gave a polished and interpretive performance of the Telemann suite. His relaxed style brought out lovely colours in this showy piece.

The last movement came off particularly well with its fast, flying, dancing exuberance.

In Haydn's symphony, morning and the dawn chorus of birds was magically evoked, with all its light and shade.

Composer Malcolm Arnold is 80 this year and to celebrate this the Camerata chose his Sinfonietta, with its witty last movement, which has the tension of a film score.

Handel's forthright Concerto bowls along splendidly to its jaunty gigue at the end, but the evening's final flourish, Mozart's Symphony was my favourite, sprightly, full of light and shade, its rich texture of sound driving it forward until all too soon its over.