The King's Lynn Festival Chorus Christmas concert has become a firm part of many people's winter calendar and this event has consistently been a sell-out evening in St Nicholas' Chapel.

The King's Lynn Festival Chorus Christmas concert has become a firm part of many people's winter calendar and this event has consistently been a sell-out evening in St Nicholas' Chapel.

This year the Chorus will be fulfilling a long-term wish to perform Handel's glorious oratorio, Messiah, which is one of the composer's most famous works and a thrill for any choir to stage.

This year on December 8 at 7.30pm, the chorus will be joined by the Brandenburg Sinfonia, whose busy concert schedule takes them all over the world working with prestigious names such as Lesley Garrett and soloists like Bibi Heal and Christopher Diffey. It has been a busy year for the King's Lynn chorus with the launch of their debut CD, which has been well received and will be on sale at the concert.

In April, 56 members of the choir embarked on a debut tour of southern Spain.

A notable highlight of that trip was singing in the Mezquita in Cordoba at the personal invitation of the Bishop of Cordoba.

In September another highlight for the choir was being featured on Aled Jones' BBC Radio 3 Sunday evening show.

Under the inspirational leadership of music director Michael Kibblewhite and with support from the new assistant music director John Byron, the chorus has a reputation which attracts members from as far as Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.

While entry is ultimately by audition, the door is always open for anyone to go along and have a go. If you are interested you can always go along to the choir's annual open-rehearsal in the Town Hall in King's Lynn on January 14. Full details about the choir can be obtained by contacting Fiona Ross on 01328 820208 or frosss@btinternet.com

This Christmas concert is a wonderful way to get into the festive season early in December and tickets are on sale at the Corn Exchange on 01553 764864.