THIS year's Southampton Music and Drama Festival closes tonight with a grand finale at its new spiritual home, Thornden Hall, Chandler's Ford.

The two-week long festival opened last Monday with the choir competition section and since then over 2000 people have participated in a variety of disciplines including guitar, piano, orchestral, speech and drama.Festival secretary, Angela Rogers said: "Once again, this has been a very successful Festival and the new venue, Thornden Hall, has met with much approval from organisers, performers and spectators alike."

Tonight's concert brings together some of the most outstanding performances seen throughout the festival.

The varied programme features four large groups: The Highcliffe Junior Choir, The Romsey Abbey School Orchestra, the Chandler's Ford BB Brass Band and the Romsey School Big Band.

There are a number of entertaining contributions from the speech and drama section as well as superb vocal and instrumental soloists and The Kings School String Trio.

Tickets available on the door, priced £7. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

RESULTS FROM 1, 4-6 MARCH SEE THE WHAT'S ON SUPPLEMENT IN TODAY'S DAILY ECHO.