A Norwich orchestra will celebrate 50 years of music-making tomorrow night with a concert in St Andrew's Hall.

The Mozart Orchestra, pictured, gave its first performance in April 1962 in the Assembly House in Norwich and has presented a programme of concerts in the city and around the county each year ever since.

Last night the orchestra's members were fine tuning at the Hewett School for their big day.

The 50th season ends with a concert in aid of the Norfolk and Norwich Families' House charity on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.

Orchestra president David Pugh said: 'From small beginnings, the Mozart Orchestra has become an integral part of the Norfolk music scene.

'It has enabled generations of musicians to come together and enjoy playing, and has performed to tens of thousands of people. We look forward to another 50 years of music-making.'

Neville Thrower, a French horn player and one of the founding members of the orchestra said: 'Fifty years ago the key orchestra in the city was the philharmonic, but when the philharmonic got to the end of the season there was nothing from May to October. Some friends got together and we thought we would play Mozart for fun. It gained momentum and grew from there.'

The orchestra normally plays twice in Norwich and twice outside the city each season, which runs from May to October. It has performed around 200 times in Norfolk since 1962.

Tickets are available from Prelude Records in St Giles Street, Norwich, or by phoning 01603 628319. photo: steve adams