HUNDREDS of people filled the pews at Salisbury Cathedral for a special concert hosted by St Mary's Calne to celebrate the life and works of a previous directors of music and governor.

Along with visiting choirs from the surrounding schools, pupils from St Mary's performed a number of pieces of choral music with links to Sir David Willcocks, who passed away in September last year, in the saintly setting on Sunday, November 20.

The conductor, who was well known for his links with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and Bath Choir, spent two years at the school from 1948 to 1950 as a visiting director of music and was a governor from 1986 onwards.

Director of music Rebecca Cavill said: "They have not stopped talking about it and to have an opportunity to sing in the acoustics of a cathedral is fantastic. They had to step their game up and they did themselves proud."

The concert, which was led by a number of guest composers including Sir Willcocks' son Jonathan, also raised more than £25,000 for bursaries and scholarships at the school.

Talking about the event Jonathan Willcocks said: "What a completely marvellous event last night was. My family were all so moved to be present at such a wonderful tribute to my late father - who would have been so proud and honoured that so much time, effort and musical energy and skill had been harnessed in his memory.

"I thought that all the performers rose to the occasion magnificently, and the organisation of such a complex event was simply brilliant."