OLDHAM Choral Society returns to the historic setting of Oldham Parish Church for their annual Christmas concert on Friday, December 20.

It is one of the musical highlights of the festive season in the town, always drawing a good audience.

Their guests this year are the Ashton Band. The two groups got together for the first time last December, and so successful was the collaboration that they both agreed to share the platform again this year.

The choir goes from strength to strength, and there could be a record number of singers packed into the limited space on the chancel of the church for the concert.

There will be a very wide range of music performed on the night ranging from light classics by well-known composers such as Handel and Prokofiev, to popular modern favourites such as "The most wonderful time of the Year" and "The Snowman".

There will be choral arrangements by John Rutter and a performance of a new carol: Ring the Bells that has been composed to help support the homeless.

Choral groups all over the country are learning and singing this chorus. The composer, Andrew Fincham is donating all royalties and money raised through the sale of copies to the homeless. There will also be the opportunity to donate to the homeless at the end of the concert.

There will - as always - be the opportunity for the audience to raise the roof by joining in with carols which will be led in grand style by the band and choir.

Taking place on the final Friday before Christmas the combined sound of voices and brass in such a beautiful setting provides the perfect prelude to Christmas.

The concert begins at 7.30pm and runs without interval finishing at 9pm.

Tickets at £7.50 are available from the ticket secretary 0161 797 3583, but tickets are not required. The public are adivsedget there early, buy ticket on the door and grab a good seat.