CLASSICAL music fans packed their picnic baskets and rolled out their rugs on Sunday for the annual Bowood Proms.

Flags waved and the rain held as thousands of people enjoyed the concert and fireworks in front of the lake and grandeur of Bowood House.

The event lit up the lazy summer night with a 20-minute firework finale and the music pumped through the veins giving an electric atmosphere.

Deckchairs dotted the grounds with lanterns lighting them up as it became darker and there was music for everybody.

The romantic melodies blended with dramatic interludes and classical tunes from the great composers side by side with their modern day colleagues like John Williams.

Opera singer Annette Wardell gave an excellent performance with a range and depth of vocal performance that impressed the whole crowd.

Claire Snape, hospitality co-ordinator at Bowood, said the event went brilliantly.

"There was one spurt of rain that lasted two minutes and that was it and it ended up being a warm night.

"It was very enjoyable. The fireworks were amazing and they played some songs that were slighly different from the norm which is good as it's nice to hear different things. I thought it was really good.''

Mandy Jones, who was with her friend at the concert, said: "This was a birthday present for me from my children. I think the opera singer has been great."

The choreographed lights to the music created an awe-inspiring spectacle as the orchestra and singers played and sang.

The programme for the night included favourites by Tchaikovsky, Puccini and Strauss and was performed by the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra, this year conducted by RoderickDunk.

Families from all across the region enjoyed the pomp and splendour of such classics as Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and Rule Britannia, which were followed by a spectacular firework finale to end the night.

David Gage, from Trowbridge, said he went to the Bowood event after being impressed by a similar concert.

He said: "It has been a great night out. We went to this last year when it came to Taunton and that's why we've come here."

Although the rain held off during the concert, the previous rain made it a little damp.

But Barry Robinson, from Pontypridd in south Wales, said that the atmosphere of the crowd and the performances made up for it: "It is our first time here and it has been first class. It is a pity about the weather."

Tom Bell, from Calne, agreed saying: "It has been an excellent, lovely evening. It is my first time here and I am hoping to come back again."

Wendy Skan, from Swindon, said: "The atmosphere has been great.

"Walking through all the deckchairs in this lovely park adds to the night. I have really enjoyed it."

Ms Snape added that although sales were down on the 5,500 they hoped would come they were still happy with the turnout of 4, 500.

"Because this was a Sunday we think that may have affected the ticket sales and so did the weather as a lot of people decide on that. Some look at the weather on the day and buy then."

Chris Kettles, box office manager at Performing Arts Management, which ran the event, said: "Attendance has increased this year and it's been a good year.

"The main thing is to build on each year which is what we've done.

"It was very successful and we have already been asked to plan next year's concert."