TWO festive concerts taking place this week will mark the start of Christmas for an island community.

The Walney Churches Together Annual Christmas Concerts are taking place on Thursday and Friday this week at St Columbus Church.

This year, the Walney Churches Together Community Choir will be joined by choirs from George Hastwell School and St Bernard’s Catholic High School, as well as various soloists.

George Hastwell School will be returning again this year with their signing choir.

The school care for and teach children with severe or profound learning difficulties.

They aim to help their students develop and become more independent and performing as part of the signing choir is one way this is achieved.

Julia Sharpe, Musical Director for The Walney Churches Together Annual Christmas Concerts, talked about the importance of the concerts to the Walney community and how much it means for the children from surrounding schools to be part of the event.

She said: “The Walney Churches together concerts have been going on for 25 years.

“It’s become a real tradition for families to come along to the concert and for many it marks the start of Christmas on Walney Island.

“I think it’s great how the schools from the area want to be involved.

“Last year George Hastwell School came along with their signing choir and they were truly amazing.

“They’re always so enthusiastic and last year they certainly brought some happy tears to the eyes of people watching."

The event is free to enter with donations being taken on the night to raise money for Furness Homeless Support Group and George Hastwell School.

Julia said: “The work the homeless support group do is so amazing, it’s so important all year round but especially so over the winter months.”

Pat Chapples, manager at Furness Homeless Support Group, said: "We're extremely grateful to Julia & co who have supported us for many years. We are always thankful for organising such an event, and for the support of the public. It really does make a difference and is very much appreciated by everyone here at Furness Homeless Support Group."