THE beautiful setting of Bolton Parish Church will be the venue for Saturday's opening concert of Bolton Festival when Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra perform.

Their programme, which is one of the festival's most anticipated, will include Haydn's "Nelson" Mass, Handel's Concerto Grosso Op 3 and Bach's Magnificat.

John Powell will conduct with Katie Wearing leading.

Soloists will be Nicola Mills, Sue Maxwell, Helen Francis, Gawain Glenton and Mark Rowlinson. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £9 (£8 concessions) and are available from the Festival Box Office on 01204 334400 or on the door.