SUNSHINE, music, lasers, fireworks and thousands of Union Jacks made Castle Howard’s proms a huge success on Saturday evening when over 5,000 people enjoyed picnics on the lawns as they were entertained by Blake, soprano Joanna Forest and the London Gala Orchestra.

Following a welcome from the evening’s compère, BBC Look North’s Clare Frisby, the evening started in spectacularly patriotic style with an aerial display above Ray Wood and the Great Lake by a World War II Hurricane.

This was a last minute change to the planned Spitfire - accompanied by the rousing sounds of the RAF March Past, Dambusters Theme and 633 Squadron, all performed by the musicians of the London Gala Orchestra.

Classical Brit Award-winners, Blake, took to the stage with standards, including Nella Fantasia and Bring Him Home from Les Misérables.

They were joined on stage by chart-topping soprano, Joanna Forest, whose voice soared in classical numbers like O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini and duets with Blake including You Raise Me Up and Time to Say Goodbye.

The evening drew to a crescendo with proms favourites including flag-waving to Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, before the skies over the Great Lake erupted with a breathtaking display of lasers and fireworks, choreographed in time to the music.

“It has been an absolutely stunning evening, and it was superb to have the Hurricane with us this year circling the estate and performing in the clear summer skies,” said marketing manager, Rachel Underwood.

“Blake and Joanna Forest both put on virtuoso performances, and the audience loved the new spectacular light show along with the fireworks as night fell over the Castle Howard estate.

“This was certainly a night to remember, and will be a hard one to beat next year.”