TWO Christmas carol concerts will mark the start of the festive season for a popular choir at St Albans Abbey this weekend.

On Saturday, the St Albans Bach Choir’s family concert will take place at 3pm and is designed with small children and young families in mind – there will even br pre-concert entertainment in the form of Tooty Frooty from 2.15pm.

This will be followed by the evening concert at 7pm featuring seasonal readings as well as a traditional mix of much loved old favourites and modern classics with a guest spot for the Columbian Ringers, the St Columba’s College bell choir.

Former Cathedral assistant master of the music Andrew Parnell makes a welcome return to play the organ while the current post-holder Andrew Lucas conducts.

There will be plenty of opportunities for audience participation at both concerts and those who attend will not only be enjoying Christmas music but also helping charity.

Proceeds from the concerts will be going to Age Concern St Albans and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) which supports research into undiagnosed heart conditions in young people and helps families affected by sudden death.

Tickets are available on the door only. For the afternoon family concert tickets cost �5 for adults and �1 for children if they need a seat, otherwise it is free. For the 7pm concert tickets cost �10 with concessions at �5.

For more information about the choir visit www.stalbansbachchoir.org.uk.