ORGANISERS of a five-day celebration of Bolton's best young musical talent have hailed the festival a success.

More than 200 schoolchildren delighted packed audiences at Bolton's Albert Halls during a five-day musical extravaganza.

Primary school youngsters and teenagers were in the spotlight for this year's Bolton music Centre Presents event.

Guest choirs from primary schools have featured -- and just about every type of orchestra, ensemble and band performed, showing a diversity of musical talent.

A spokesman for the Music Centre said: "This has been a fantastic and successful five days.

"We would like to thank our main sponsors Tower FM, J Packer Music Ltd, from Taunton, and Read, Franklin and Heywood Music, from Bury. We have also had terrific support from Bolton Wanderers, RS Tyrer and Son Coaches, MacFreight Transport Ltd, our parent support groups, the Albert Halls and the Bolton Evening News."

Anyone who missed out on this year's concerts, or is anxious to go again next time round, should book the dates for the 2004 festival in their diaries.

Next year's concerts will run at the Albert Halls from March 21 to 25. Before then, there are plenty of chances to catch separate performances by Bolton Music Centre ensembles.

For more details about concerts and venues, contact the Music Centre on 01204 333533.

HERE is a selection of concerts from Bolton Music Centre's Spring/Summer programme: Tuesday -- Bolton Training String perform at Mount St Josephs School, Farnworth, 7pm; Tuesday -- Bolton Junior Gamelan Ensemble and Bolton Adult Gamelan Ensemble perform at the Bolton Music Centre, New York, Deane, 7.30pm; April 5 -- Bolton Music Service Singers at Prenton Methodist Church, 7.30pm; May 18 -- Bolton Music Service Singers, Bolton Youth Choir, Bolton Junior Youth Choir, Turton Training Choir and Little Lever Choir perform at the Choral Studies Five Choir Concert; June 6 -- Three Bands Concert features Bolton Youth Brass Band, Astley Youth Brass Band and Wigan Youth Brass Band at Aspull Civic Hall, 7.30pm; June 21 -- Concert featuring Bolton Youth Brass Band and Bolton Youth Concert Band.