A SPECTACULAR performance of the song written to mark York’s 800th anniversary was performed to a thrilled crowd by hundreds of local choristers.

The song, entitled This York, was premiered to a jubilant crowd at the Eye of York, on Monday evening, from the steps of the Castle Museum. Earlier a huge procession, led by the civic party, had processed from the Minster, while the huge Ebor Vox community choir followed as they sang the song.

Elaine Lambert, 59, from Acaster Malbis, was one of those who enjoyed the show. She said: “What they have done is absolutely fabulous - it’s putting York on the map.

“It must take a lot of organisation to get that many people in one place and to sound so good.

The song, to mark the 800 years since York was given its charter, was composed by renowned musician and film maker Benjamin Till, while the lyrics were the work of competition winner and former York University student Gary Toal. Three runners-up, including 11-year-old Kirsty Oliver also had their words featured in the piece.

Artistic director, and the man who devised the idea of the Ebor Vox project, Stephen Burke said the 19 choirs who came together to perform This York “now owned the song”.

“They have stopped learning it and now own it,” he said.

Following the performance, which was backed by Shepherd’s Brass band, The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman took the podium and summed up the mood of the crowd by saying “wow”.

He added: “Today we have again seen the people come together to celebrate the city with the vibrancy and colour we have become known for throughout the world.”

Meanwhile council leader, James Alexander told the crowd and performers they had “done York proud”.