SPECTATORS are invited to a grand performance as hundreds of budding musicians take to the stage in Oldham.

Around 500 young children who began learning instruments in the past 12 to 18 months will make music together at the Lyceum Theatre and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The first ever Biggest Band Day event - on March 21 - has been organised by Oldham Music Service as part of its annual week-long celebration of the borough's musical prowess.

Concerts will be held every night between March 19 and 23, featuring woodwind, strings, brass, percussion and more.

Gerard Booth, director of music, said: "We are immensely proud of Oldham’s wealth of musical talent and of the fact that our musicians have so many great opportunities to share their skills.

"The Biggest Band Day is a new initiative for us but we are hopeful that it will encourage even more young people to continue to develop their talent with the Music Centre."

The Biggest Band Day has been organised as part of the national 'Get Creative' festival - which sees individuals and organisations host free events encouraging residents to get creative.

The participating primary school pupils have been learning to play their musical instruments as part of whole class programmes at school.

They will spend the morning of March 21 in small groups learning to play their band parts before coming together for a free family performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at 2.30pm.

Other concerts taking place, all at 7.30pm, include woodwind and wind bands on Monday 19, a string and orchestral concert on Tuesday 20, a vocal and choral event on Wednesday 21, brass bands and percussion groups on Thursday 22, rounded off with the adult and community groups on Friday 23.

Tickets for the evening concerts are available from the Music Centre, from the Queen Elizabeth Hall box office or online at www.trybooking.co.uk/2676.