WHEN Helen and Alan Free went on holiday to Normandy they never dreamed that they would return with the foundations for a classical orchestra based in St Helens.

For it was a holiday visit to an orchestral concert which prompted Helen to say: "You could do that" which started the ball rolling and the formation of the St Helens Sinfonietta -- the town's first classical orchestra.

Musical director Alan, from Eccleston, explains: "It was my lifelong ambition to form an orchestra and I felt sure that there was a potential audience in St Helens. After much hard work our first concert took place in October, 1997 and since then we have presented 13 concerts, mostly at Ormskirk Street United Reform Church, but also at the Theatre Royal, Prescot Parish Church, St Peter's Church, Newton-le-Willows and St Julie's, Eccleston. In addition, we also played at the St Helens Show last year when we continued playing through a terrific thunderstorm."

Their next concert is a 'Viennese Evening' on Saturday, June 10 at Ormskirk Street United Reform Church, starting at 7.30pm. Conductor will be Alan Free, leader Patricia Donnelly and guest soporano is Jane Rotherham. Tickets, £6, are available from 01744 28314 (weekday mornings only) or 01744 616635.