A HUGE open-air concert thrilled a cold but enthusiastic audience as they sang to classics like Land of Hope and Glory and danced the cancan.

Luckily the rain stayed off and the crowd of about 2,000 enjoyed a spectacle of traditional music finished off by a fireworks display, that lit up the skies over York on Saturday night.

The concert organisers had expected an audience of up to 15,000.

The Last Night of the Proms extravaganza, featuring the Midland Symphony Orchestra, was the first for York's racecourse.

Those who did attend trudged across the grassy Knavesmire carrying tables, chairs, hampers and blankets. Many were in formal dress, but others were wearing jeans and fleeces and were happy to sit on picnic blankets to enjoy the entertainment.

Updated: 11:10 Monday, September 10, 2001