Hampshire County Council's Music Service is planning a magnificent celebration to mark the 90th anniversary of one of England's greatest original and prolific composers, Benjamin Britten.

Over 300 performers, including members of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, Winchester Area Schools Orchestras and Choirs, Hampshire County Choirs, professional soloists and Winchester Recorder Ensemble, as well as secondary and junior schools, will be working with the national award-winning music service to perform Britten's dramatic community opera, Noye's Fludde, on Friday, July 18th, at Winchester Cathedral.

Hampshire Music Services Ensemble co-ordinator, Carl Clausen, will be directing the performance, assisted by Lorraine Cheshire, Head of Drama at Kings' School, Winchester; Martin Read, the head of Music at Alton College, and Allison Ami, a freelance costume designer.

Over 200 pupils will be performing the animal roles and they have been working hard with their teachers to make costumes, as well as holding weekly rehearsals to learn their music.

For tickets, ring 01962-861502.