A COLLECTION of medieval Christmas lyrics have been set to music at a York concert for the first time in hundreds of years.

The event, by composer Stef Conner, took place at St Mary’s Bishophill Junior as part of a day-long workshop, with visitors taught and encouraged to sing along with the specially-written music.

Stef, who is an award-winning composer, said: “It’s incredibly comforting to be reminded that people who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago experienced many of the same conflicts, difficulties and pleasures as we do in their daily lives.

"We find it exciting to hear stories that inspire us to empathise with our ancestors and when that experience is combined with the emotional intensity of singing and the atmospheric power of an ancient building, something very special happens.”