YOUNGSTERS enjoyed their first taste of a live orchestra at the return of Colchester’s ever popular Teddy Bear’s Concert.

Colne Valley Youth Orchestra performed some children’s favourites to a packed-out crowd at Colchester Arts Centre.

Children as young as five joined the fun, singing along with the likes of The Ugly Duckling and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with their teddies in hand.

Musical director Nigel Hildreth said: “I have been doing this for 30 years. It is always popular, there are big crowds and it’s often a sell out.

“The Teddy Bear’s Concert is a highlight in our calendar every year.

“This year was a tremendous success and there were lots of children, so many we didn’t manage to count.

“They seemed engaged with the conducting as well as the playing and they were singing along with the songs.

“Quite a few of the children seemed to be old hands at it and they’ve probably been before.

“We sometimes see the youngsters five or six years later come along and join the orchestra. We also have ex-members of the orchestra who now bring their children along to the concert.”

Colne Valley Youth Orchestra is recruiting and is hosting a Come and Try session at Colchester Sixth Form College on February 17.

Visit cvyo.net for more information.