A HUGE pageant involving hundreds of youngsters from colleges and schools across Blackburn will be held to mark the dawn of the new millennium.

The massive concert is the brainchild of Blackburn College lecturer Michael Greenhalgh and will be staged at the cathedral. It will be based on key events in English history over the last 1,000 years and will be followed by a massive firework display.

Organisers have even managed to get hold of dress worn in the hit film Elizabeth for one section of the extravaganza.

The pageant will cost over £10,000 and will be performed on the three consecutive nights at the end of January.

Mr Greenhalgh, head of performing arts and music at the college, said: "This should be a very special event and a lot of hard work has gone into the pageant.

"We will be looking at key events in the history of England including the two world wars. We will end with a message of hope for the new century.

"Each school will have the responsibility for producing their segment of the pageant and the narration has been written by the Rev Dr John Cree, the former Blackburn College chaplain."

Performers will include students from every college in Blackburn, the St Nicholas Singers, Blackburn Cathedral Girls' Choir and the Blackburn Symphony Orchestra.

Schools who have agreed to produce segments for the pageant include Witton Park, QEGS, Darwen Vale and St Wilfrid's High School.

Ticket prices range from £5 to £8 for the performances on January 26, 27 and 29.

People can book tickets through Bookland and Co in Ainsworth Street or the reception at Blackburn College.

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