In the build up to Newent's Christmas Lights being switched on this Saturday, the town's acclaimed orchestra will perform a special concert in St Mary's Church.

The concert starts at 2.30pm and the church will be dressed inside for Christmas making a magical atmosphere for the concert, which will have a distinctly medieval flavour. Expect a programme packed with musical myth, magic and fairy tale to delight and entertain under the baton of conductor and composer, Bill Anderton.

Special guests for the concert are ‘Ypotryll’ Named after a mythical medieval monster, Ypotryll (multi-instrumentalists Rachel Tedd and Simon Pickard with soprano Karen Jones) play a range of reproduction period instruments to perform a mix of secular English and European music from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

During the afternoon the main car park in Newent, a couple of minutes walk to St Mary's, will be free with a Christmas Market being held. Tickets cost £9 (£8 concession) on the door, which includes mulled wine and mince pies; 16s and under, free.