A RIP-ROARING concert of festive favourites is to be staged in Preston featuring two of the North West's top brass bands.

The Kings Division Normandy Band, based near Blackpoool, are joining up with the highly acclaimed Besses O' Th' Barn from Manchester to present a programme of big band music.

The Top Brass Christmas Spectacular will take place at Preston Guild Hall at 7.30pm on Sunday (DEC 16) and will finish with a stunning climax when the Besses perform on the revolving stage while the military musicians put on a marching display in the hall.

The backdrop to the finale will be Tchaikovsky's famous 1812 Overture - with fireworks to make sure the performance goes with a bang.

The show will be presented by comedian Jim Bowen, and tickets are £10, available from the box office on 258858.