A MUSICAL 70th birthday party has resulted in a big donation to St Leonard's Hospice.

The York Light Orchestra (YLO) celebrated its 70th anniversary with a concert of light music - ranging from Rossini to the Beach Boys and finishing with a rousing Proms finale - at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

The event was a near sell-out. "The audience were queuing around the corner when the doors opened at 2pm!" said the orchestra's secretary Karen Nash.

They weren't disappointed. The anniversary concert included an introduction to the music by Adam Tomlinson, and - getting into the spirit of the event - soprano Tracey Bowen led the singing dressed in a satin Union Jack dress.

St Leonard's Hospice volunteers sold raffle tickets for prizes which had been donated by local businesses. And members of the YLO committee have now presented a cheque for £2354.78 to the hospice.