Planned especially for children, this concert was performed three times by the excellent English Symphony Orchestra, with its conductor William Boughton.

Peter & the Wolf, by Prokofiev, a symphonic fairy tale, was narrated entertainingly by The Rev. Carl Attwood, vicar of Colwall, who introduced each character as it was to be represented by a musical instrument.

There were plenty of theatrical effects to hold the children's attention, and their reactions were seen clearly as horns and percussion signified a terrifying wolf, or a solo clarinet pretended to be the little cat.

Janet Masters was the virtuoso violinist who portrayed Ridout's unlikely story of Ferdinand the Bull. Again, children were involved with the music.

For Carnival of the Animals, by Saint-Saens, piano duo Elaine Burns and Malcolm Wilson joined the ESO.

Vivid descriptions of animals enthralled and amused the young audience: Lions roared, a solo double bass plodded melodiously as an elephant, bubbles of an aquarium floated through the orchestra, a flute trilled like a bird, a xylophone clattered like fossils and a beautiful cello solo realised the swan.

Many children had submitted their own original poems about the animals, and Carl Attwood read some aloud between movements.

A live concert such as this is a wonderful opportunity for children to get to know the sight and sounds of instruments and music outside their usual experience.

Jill Hopkins