HUNDREDS of people packed inside Bolton Parish Church for its annual carol service this evening.

Held annually on the last Sunday before Christmas, the service includes the reading of nine lessons and a range of carols being sung in celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Members of the congregation held candles aloft throughout, as they sang hymns and listened to music from the church’s choir, led by director Michael Pain.

Among those asked to read lessons were Bolton News columnist Angela Kelly, chair of the Bolton branch of Parkinson's UK, Ann-Marie Giles, and the curator of archaeology, Egyptology and world cultures at Bolton Museum, Ian Trumble.

The service was led by the Reverend Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle, who addressed the gathered masses on several occasions, wishing peace and good will to people across the world.

And when the service was over, the congregation gathered round to socialise and share refreshments, including mince pies.

Following the event, organiser Pat Whalley said: "It has been a big success. There are more people this year than we have had for several year.

"It is a great way of starting off people's Christmas.