Christmas festivities were in full swing at Poole Lighthouse on Saturday for the BSO's Last Night of the Christmas Proms.

With a beautifully decorated glitzy stage, the night was a hit from the start with the packed out audience, many of whom had also joined in the mood with festive jumpers aplenty!

It was also a delight to see a number of families and younger people supporting our world class local orchestra.

Conducted by BSO favourite and regular Pete Harrison who has a huge list of impressive accolades, the evening was set to impress, and never faltered throughout.

With Harrison promising “music to make you smile and a sprinkle of Disney magic”, the first half was a celebration of West End and Broadway show tunes with some really spectacular classical arrangements.

Talented soloists Stephen Weller and Shona Lindsay, both with West End pedigrees of their own from starring in Phantom to Les Misérables, gave fantastic performances both individually and together.

Covering shows such as West Side Story, Chess and Company, a personal favourite was the pieces from Beauty and the Beast, in particular Weller's powerful and moving rendition of If I Can't Have Her.

The upbeat and jazzy Gypsy Overture and The Girl from 14G were delightful too.

In the second half, Christmas festivities abounded, with orchestral outfits changed for a whole array of bling and fun, with even the conductor handed a Santa hat to accompany his glittering suit!

It's not very often you see classical musicians dressed in antlers and santa hats (and even a full snowman outfit in one case) but this added to the jovial spirit which infectiously drew in the audience, who were clapping and singing along by the end.

A special mention must go to the Colehill and Ferndown Community Choir who piped up from their seats with a Christmas jingle of their own.

Some really infectious and wholly enjoyable musical arrangements featured including BSO favourite Ron Goodwin's version of Jingle Bells.

Highlights for me were again the incredible voice of Stephen Weller singing The Christmas Story and A Spaceman Came Travelling, dedicated to astronaut Tim Peake for “doing something exciting!”

One of the biggest cheers of the night was for Rocking Around The Christmas Tree which had everyone tapping their feet and swaying in their chairs, along with a finale of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

This really should be part of your festive build up next year, it certainly will be for me.

Stephanie Hall