A CONCERT orchestra is warming up for a special performance of Handel's Messiah.

At the end of the month, Ramsbottom Choral Society and Concert Orchestra will perform possibly the most well-known choral work of all time.

Musical director Barry Sugden said the audience will hopefully be brought to their feet by the performance.

His wish harks back to the first-ever recital of Handel's Messiah in the presence of King George II in 1743. The king was so overwhelmed by The Hallelujah Chorus that he stood up.

Mr Sugden said: "We are expecting a capacity audience for our concert, and they will be rewarded by hearing four amazing young soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music.

"They are all vocal students on the brink of great singing careers and they will be singing with my great choir and orchestra which I have been lucky enough to conduct for more than 30 years.

"I am pretty sure that the audience will stand up for Handel when the time comes."

Ramsbottom Concert Orchestra is the only orchestra in the Bury area.

Its members include amateur musicians, music teachers, doctors, students and retirees, who rehearse every Thursday night in Greenmount Old School Community Centre, and perform free of charge.

The orchestra is currently appealing for violinists and viola players to enlarge their string section.

For 2017/2018, the society will perform Handel's Messiah on Saturday, November 25, a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 16, Haydn's The Seasons on Saturday, March 24, 2018, and Songs from the Shows on Saturday, May 12, 2018.

The first of these - Messiah - will be performed at Bolton Road Methodist Church, in Bolton Road, Bury, from 7pm this Saturday.

Anyone interested in participating in the orchestra should call Mr Sugden on 0161 761 2985.