A SELL-out concert in memory of those who died in the Evesham M25 coach crash was held at the weekend.

The memorial, at Evesham Methodist Church, on Bridge Street, on Saturday evening, also raised £1,000 for the Air Ambulance.

Six people died and 40 were injured when the coach they were travelling in overturned as they returned to Worcestershire from a shopping trip in France, on November 16, 2002.

Since then, the coach firm, Spring and Son, has closed.

The Bretforton Silver Band played for the memorial because they had used Spring and Son several times before.

Conductor John Wood said: "Two weeks before the disaster, we did the very same trip.

"We have always been associated with Spring and Son and when we heard about the disaster and that some friends of ours had died, we felt that we had to do something."

The band, which was formed 108 years ago, was treated to a standing ovation by the 200-strong audience.

"The hall was packed and it was very emotional - but this was a great concert," said Mr Wood.

"We played a great variety of music from Lord of the Rings, Gladiator and The Lion King.

"We finished off with You'll Never Walk Alone and got a standing ovation."

Last month, an inquest into the deaths heard how the driver, 42-year-old Chris Sloane, from Evesham, fell asleep.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.