AN annual carol concert in support of Macmillan Cancer Relief has raised £22,000 for the charity.

The figure is a record for the event, which has taken place at Ripon Cathedral for the past nine years.

The choir from Aysgarth School, near Bedale, has sung at every concert.

Readers at this year's event, which took place on Monday night, included author Gervase Phinn, TV presenter Selina Scott, explorer Bear Grylls, cookery expert Rosemary Shrager and three Aysgarth schoolboys, Guy Vernon, Archie Thornton-Berry and Charlie Steel.

More than 600 people attended the concert, organised this year by the Young Macmillan Committee.

Wilma Burniston, fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "The professionalism, quality and beauty of this event is second to none in the region. Macmillan is indebted to the young committee, Aysgarth School and all those who support the event."