FESTIVE joy is on the way for Press readers who will receive free tickets for York's annual Community Carol Concert.

More than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the event, which takes place at the Barbican Centre on Sunday, at 2.30pm.

But now, a couple of dozen others will receive free tickets after entering a prize draw run by The Press, in conjunction with organiser Graham Bradbury.

Some readers told why they wanted so much to go to the concert.

Molly Simpson, 88, of York, said she would like to take her daughter, who had been looking after her since she had a bad fall earlier this year.

Adele Fisher, of Carlton, near Goole, said: "I used to live in York and love to come to shows whenever possible. It would be a real treat for me to receive tickets for the concert."

Another reader, of Acomb, said she would love to go to the concert and would normally pay, but, at 81, money was scarce for her.

The concert, which is now in its 49th year, will raise money for the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York's Christmas Cheer Fund and also The Press Guardian Angels appeal.

It has attracted visitors from all over the country this year as it coincides with York's popular St Nicholas Fayre.

Mr Bradbury said the concert would feature Bootham School chamber choir, St Luke's Church choir, Shepherd Building Group Brass Band, St Wilfrid's RC Primary School choir, York Colleges' Guild Handbell Ringers and singer Jessa Liversidge, while Rev Andrew Foster would be Master of Ceremonies.

Kevin Booth, editor of The Press, said last year's event had helped raise more than £1,000 towards the paper's Guardian Angels appeal, which is seeking to fund a special unit at York Hospital for sick children, and he thanked everyone for their contributions.

Mr Bradbury said tickets, priced at £5, would be available in advance of Sunday from the Grand Opera House box office, and on the door on the day of the concert.