HUNDREDS of people celebrated the finale of the Southampton festival of music and drama.

The concert, at Thornden Hall in Chandler's Ford on Friday night, concluded one of the country’s oldest music events.

Featuring musicians from ages six to 91, the event began with around 4,000 people across two dates earlier this month, with adjudicators selecting around 200 musicians for the finale.

Chair of the festival, Shelagh Lee, praised the ethos of the event: “We had such a mix of people and it’s great that reflects what we’re trying to do here. It all starts with one weekend in March from the 10th and another day on the 16th, with adjudicators selecting those for our final concert.

“Most people stayed throughout the entire evening, with a range of recorder players, a care home choir and lots of other acts.

“I don’t know what the capacity of the hall is, but it was absolutely full. Music can be so powerful.”

On top of the event itself, Shelagh praised the impact the festival has on the surrounding community.

She added: “We have been doing this for so many years now and the message we want to send is that music is for everybody. Friday was a culmination of the festival and we try and reflect the community in it.

“We’re glad everybody enjoyed it as it was a fantastic spectacle.”