HUNDREDS of people are expected to attend a night of carols and special performances at the NSPCC's annual carol concert in Taunton next week.

The Carols by Candlelight concert will be held on Thursday, December 15 at Taunton Minster (formerly St Mary Magdalene Church).

The event will see performances from TV star Belinda Stewart-Wilson, who played Will's mum Polly McKenzie in Channel 4 sitcom The Inbetweeners, soprano Josie Cresswell, Collegium Singers, organist Miles Quick and children from Stagecoach Performing Arts School.

Tickets cost £10 for an adult. Children under the age of 16 go free and must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 6pm.

Tickets can be purchased at Taunton Visitor Centre (Market House, Fore Street) or by calling 01823 340470.

Moira Smyth, NSPCC chair of the Somerset volunteer fundraisers, said: “We are thrilled to be back holding our Carols by Candlelight at Taunton Minster.

“Last Christmas was very difficult with Covid restrictions but this year we are serving wine and a piece of cake again.

“Come and help us celebrate whilst raising much needed funds for the NSPCC. Christmas can be a very difficult time for some children so please help us to be there for them.”

Over 90 per cent of the NSPCC’s funding comes from donations, making community events crucial to make sure the charity can provide vital services such as Childline.

Last year, Childline provided over 200,000 counselling sessions to young people. It is estimated that 2,800 of these were from children in Somerset.

Alison Armer, community fundraising manager for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, said: “Please join us for an uplifting and joyful experience at the Taunton Minster.

“Our volunteers have worked hard and we are grateful to them and to the event sponsors coming together to raise much needed funds to help protect children.

“Thank you to everyone involved, It promises to be a wonderful event.”