AS the Malvern Hills darkened into silhouette at the end of a glorious summer's day and the strains of Elgar's Enigma Variations rose you could hear the sigh of contentment that ran round the capacity audience in the Three Counties Showground.

Family groups and couples had wined and dined in a variety of styles and, as dozens of tealights joined the laser wands and sparkling bunny ears, it was clear everyone was out to enjoy another memorable event.

And this Last Night of the Proms, with the English Symphony Orchestra and the ESO Youth Orchestra, was packed with goodies for all ages.

Golden and ruby wedding anniversaries were celebrated to Waltz of My Heart and The Last Rose of Summer, romantic picnics a deux were shared to Bizet's Carmen and Canteloube's Bailero while children from eight to 80 waved and cheered along to Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and Rule Britannia.

Joining orchestra leader William Boughton was the talented and popular soprano Jane Gilchrist, who demonstrated range and versatility as well as an immediate empathy with her audience in what rapidly became the Janet and Bert show.

But even she would have been hard put to out-sparkle the stunning firework display that brought the evening to a close - it was a Champagne finale for the first event of the ESO's 25th anniversary year and promises much for the months ahead. LG