STROUD Choral Society will be presenting a Christmas Carol Concert in mid-December and have generously agreed to give one lucky SNJ-reading family the chance to come along free of charge.

Stroud Choral Society's president, the renowned mezzo-soprano, Sarah Connolly, has agreed to make a special guest appearance at their Carol Concert on December 16.

Connolly, whose busy schedule includes appearances at famous opera houses such as La Scala and Glyndebourne will be accompanied by the choir in a well-known carol.

The concert, which also features talented young cellist Sam Dressel, and guest reader David Drew MP, will include the beautiful Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams, carols familiar and less well known, and readings from local writers and poets.

There will be plenty of chances for audience participation as well, ensuring that everyone leaves at the end of the evening in festive spirit.

The concert will be held in St Laurence's Church, Stroud on Saturday, December 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10 and £2 for under 16s, are available from the box office.

To win a family ticket for two adults and two children, answer the simple question in this week's SNJ.

The winners will be drawn from the arts editor's beret and announced early next month.