VIENNA looks set to have a permanent rival in the New Year's Day concert stakes.

Kidderminster's equivalent, which was held for the first time this year, was a success and is now set to become an annual event.

An appreciative audience of about 300 braved the harsh elements to take their places at Kidderminster Town Hall, where the Midland Concert Orchestra provided the evening's entertainment.

Vienna traditionally has a concert in the morning on New Year's Day, a portion of which is usually broadcast on television.

But Colin Hill, of Kidderminster Lions Club, this year decided it was about time Kidderminster marked the start of the year with a similar event.

Why? "Because we didn't have one in Kidderminster at all," Mr Hill said.

"They've tried it in Worcester and there's one at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham but unless you book up in August you're not going to get in."

The event mainly featured the music of Johann Strauss and his family, with the proceeds of £500 being donated to County Air Ambulance.

Mr Hill said: "It was a good audience, we had 300 in which was good for the first one. And it was nice to be able to make a profit."

Musical director John Franklin conducted the orchestra in a varied first half of the programme featuring music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Mozart and Elgar.

Mr Franklin is principal flute with Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and sings tenor with the City of Birmingham Choir.

He was well equipped to take on the challenge, having been conducting Viennese programmes for three years.

The second half of the evening was devoted to the music of Johann - junior and senior - and Josef Strauss. The orchestra was led by David Joyce, a former pupil of Itzhak Bashkovsky at the Royal College of Music.

The orchestra recently provided the music for the Royal Variety Show at the Grand Theatre, viewed by Princess Margaret.

"It is going to become an annual event with the same orchestra - if we can get them. They're very popular and much sought-after," Mr Hill added.

"The weather put a lot of people off. But the orchestra was excellent."