It is an event that has come to signal the start of the yuletide season and once again the EDP Festival of Carols will help spread Christmas cheer with festive song and music.

Tickets for the ever-popular annual event go on sale next week and the night looks set to kick-start the holiday season in style.

The concert, which has been a sell-out for a number of years, takes place on Wednesday, December 7 and will again raise funds for the EDP We Care Appeal.

Held at Norwich's stunning 15th-century St Andrew's Hall, the audience will be entertained by the Broadland Youth Choir and the Festival Choir.

They will also be joined by Cawston Brass Band and organist Alan Morris.

The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio Norfolk's David Clayton and will be recorded by the radio station to be broadcast at midday on Christmas day.

Mr Clayton said: 'It's a really lovely thing to do and I'm really honoured to be asked to do it.

'There's nothing more that gets you in the festive mood than some Christmas song and music.

'I edited last year's event and I was blown away by the quality of the musicianship and singing so to hear it full blast will be fantastic.'

So far, the programme for the evening remains a tightly guarded secret.

After weeks of rehearsals, last year's event culminated in fine renditions of beautiful Christmas songs including Walking in the Air, The First Nowell, Once in Royal David's City and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

A highlight was the youth choir's rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

But with so many to choose from, every member of the audience will no doubt be listening out for their favourite.

EDP editor Peter Waters said: 'For many EDP readers the Festival of Carols is the beginning of the Christmas festivities.

'As always it's sure to be an enjoyable sell-out evening with all proceeds going to worthy causes, so I'd advise everybody to get their tickets early – and get their singing voices in tune.'

Last year's event raised �1,193.97 for the We Care Appeal which continues to work tirelessly to support Norfolk's many unpaid and often unseen carers.

Paddy Seligman, chairman of the trustees of the We Care Appeal, said: 'I'm completely uplifted by the thought that the Festival of Carols is returning again.

'As well as bringing in money for the We Care Appeal, it gives us the opportunity to raise the profile of carers and what we can do for them.'

Tickets for the EDP Festival of Carols go on sale on Friday, November 4 and are �8.75. They will be available by calling 01603 772175, visiting the EDP's Norwich front office at Prospect House, Rouen Road, or online at www.edp24.co.uk/shop. Doors open at 6.45pm with the concert beginning at 7.30pm. Audience members are advised to get there early to grab a particular seat.