EAST Lancashire musicians are among more than 300 youngsters taking to the stage at Preston's Guild Hall this week.

Six student orchestras from across Lancashire take part in the Millennium of Music concerts organised by Lancashire County Council tomorrow and Friday.

The event will feature four concerts covering a wide range of music and aims to raise young people's interest in instrumental and vocal pieces. There are daytime performances for schoolchildren on each date and an evening concert for families, includes music from films, big band jazz, brass band scores and choral and orchestral pieces ranging from classical symphonies to the theme from the Blues Brothers.

County Coun Hazel Harding, chairman of the county education and cultural services committee, said: "The student ensembles play to an extremely high standard and the variety of the programmes will give them a wide appeal. These will be memorable performances, both for the young performers and the audience and I encourage everyone with an interest in music to come and enjoy these very special concerts."

The six ensembles involved are Lancashire Student Jazz Orchestra, Young Lancashire Brass, Lancashire Youth Choir, Lancashire Student's Symphony Orchestra, Lancashire Students Concert Band and Lancashire Students Training Orchestra.

Pictured are pupils from Park High School, Colne (from the left) Alice Wilkinson, 15, Sarah Walker, 17, and Martha Hardman, 17, who are taking part in the event.

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