Silence fell over the audience at Carols By Candlelight, as distant voices raised in song carried from the far reaches of York Minster and grew as the choir processed into the Chapter House.

The easy-flowing processional O Come, O Come Emmanuel was well received by the scores of people who flocked to the concert on Saturday for a dose of festive cheer.

It was a diverse programme of old and new, with many firm favourites, set in the atmospheric candle-lit surroundings.

Led by Stephen Williams, the concert skipped along from the strong opening of Ding Dong Merrily On High to the more serene In The Bleak Midwinter featuring a distinctive solo performance from first tenor John Gill and Laura Attridge.

Away In A Manger, with its lullaby quality, was performed particularly well with an attractive solo from soprano Sue Lindley, while God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen brought a welcome increase in tempo, with the tenors coming into their own.

Organist Philip Moore complimented the concert with several solo performances, notably Three Choral Preludes On Allein Gott, by Georg Telemann, and the Quand Jesus Naquit A Noel, by Claude Balbastre.

Credit goes to Denise Redding, who expertly led the hand bell ringers - a definite highlight of the concert - whose most impressive performances were Little Drummer Boy and Stille Nacht featuring soloists Anna Wilson and Anna Burr.

Angels From The Realms Of Glory heralded a strong end to the programme with all sections of the choir rising to the occasion.

Hearty applause triggered an unprogrammed encore as the choir launched into the very festive Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas, winning over the audience once and for all.

Updated: 11:29 Monday, December 20, 2004