HUNDREDS turned out in Worcester for this year's Worcester News carol concert.

The concert saw Worcester Cathedral filled as people came to celebrate the festive season.

Along with the regular hymns, there were readings from Worcester News editor Stephanie Preece, Newsquest Midlands south managing director, and Julie Bolton, newspaper sales manager.

Mayor of Worcester Cllr Stephen Hodgson also read, as did residentiary canon Dr Stephen Edwards from Worcester Cathedral.

Stephanie Preece said: "It was amazing to see so many people inside Worcester Cathedral for the carol concert.

"After such a difficult year, it is great to see people coming back out to events like this."

2021 saw the return of the carol service, which was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid.

The congregation this year was asked to wear face coverings throughout the service - including during the singing of hymns - unless they are exempt.

Those coming to Worcester Cathedral to take part in our popular Christmas service were also be encouraged to take a lateral flow test prior to arrival in a bid to keep all safe amid rising levels of Covid and uncertainty over the Omicron variant.

A one-way entrance and exit system was also in place to ensure that people could find and leave their seats in the smoothest way possible.