CREDITON Parish Church was full to capacity to hear 120 singers who combined to form the Crediton 2009 Festival Chorus to present Handel's Messiah.

In glorious harmony, the singers, from choirs and vocal groups in the area, and individuals, came together under the baton of Tina Guthrie, the conductor of the Torbay Singers.

The audience knew they were in for a treat and that is what they got!

The singers had worked incredibly hard in five rehearsals and their efforts showed in the high standard.

The singers were joined for the performance by the Crediton Festival Orchestra (leader Brenda Willoughby) and by soloists soprano Jessica Summers, alto Rosalind Williams, tenor Rupert Charlesworth and bass Nicholas Merryweather, for what was a thrilling performance.

Alan Quick