SKIPTON Choral Society will give its first concert of the season this weekend.

It will perform Bach's St John Passion at the town's Christ Church on Sunday.

The choral masterpiece narrates the Easter story and was first performed on April 7, 1724 at Good Friday Vespers at the St Nicholas Church, Leipzig, where Bach was director of church music.

The choral society was set up in 2013 by Ben Crick who decided that he needed a choir to perform with his professional orchestra - Skipton Building Society Camerata - when the programme required it.

Initially the choir met when needed and disbanded after each concert. But now it has been made permanent, although it still operates under the wing of Skipton Camerata, with whom it will perform the St John Passion.

Its aim is to bring the best choral music to the attention of a wider audience in the Yorkshire Dales.

For Sunday's concert, the singers will also be joined by four professional soloists - Louise Collett (mezzo), Tom Eaglen (baritone), Richard Rowe (tenor) and Nick Sales (tenor).

The piece will be performed in English.

Mr Crick said: “Following on from the success of Mendelssohn’s Elijah last November, we are delighted to be putting on such a marvellous work.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets costing £13 are available on the door or by ringing 01756 751879.