Last updated at 17:28, Wednesday, 19 December 2012

A 450-STRONG congregation raised the roof during aspecial festive service recorded for radio broadcast.

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BBC Radio Cumbria’s ‘Carols for Christmas’ concert was held on Thursday evening, at St Mary’s Church in Dalton.

Hosted by well-known presenters, Val Armstrong and Richard Corrie, the event featured a number of traditional Christmas carols, plus readings from some of the most familiar voices on the county’s BBC station.

It is due to be broadcast some time over the holiday period.

The vicar of St Mary’s, the Reverend Allan Mitchell, played a part in the concert, as did the Bishop of Penrith, the Right Reverend Robert Freeman and the Reverend Richard Teal, chair of the Cumbria Methodist District.

The Dalton St Mary’s School choir joined voice with the huge audience accompanied by Dalton Town Brass Band.

There could not have been a more ideal setting for the special event, as the musicians stood in front of a backdrop of 50 beautifully decorated trees displayed as part of the town’s famous Christmas tree festival.

Rev Mitchell said: “There was a lot of nervousness, but it was just fantastic.”

Children from St Mary’s choir performed a rendition of Angel Light, a carol penned by Rev Mitchell, which he described as “beautiful”.

Another highlight included St Mary’s bellringers adding to a famous carol.

“Richard Corrie had something up his sleeve for Ding Dong Merrily On High. We have 10 bells at St Mary’s and he got the lights to be switched on in the belfry, and the bellringers joined in. It was wonderful,” said Rev Mitchell.

First published at 16:13, Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk