VILLAGERS have dropped their chorus of disapproval against an opera festival at a derelict mansion near Winchester.

People in Northington last year battled the proposal for the opera at The Grange claiming it would bring disruption and noise pollution.

But this year despite a doubling of performances from seven to 14 the number of complaints has been minimal.

It now looks that Grange Park Opera has overcome local opposition and can look forward to establishing the festival to rival that at Glyndebourne.

Geoff Parr, chairman of Northington parish council, said: "It was much better this year. Nobody made any complaints to me. Most local people were full of praise for the event."

The organisers were forced to undertake several measures after the 1998 festival. A new access road was laid into the park and tarmac was laid to improve access on another entrance and reduce the dust problem.

Mr Parr said the success showed what could be done with goodwill. "It needs goodwill on everybody's part. The parish council is going to keep a watchful eye on this. But I think local people accept the opera is here to stay."

There was some confusion when a county council worker removed GPO's direction signs causing confusion among opera-goers driving to the event. The signs were later returned.

Next year GPO has permission to increase the number of performances to 20 full performances with three dress rehearsals.

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