THANKS to a misunderstanding by town councillor Peggy Dow, Marlborough was given a memorable evening of music on Thursday.

Coun Dow, for a second year, organised a Christmas concert for the Friends of Savernake Hospital.

It featured the Bedwyn Handbell Ringers, the Quadurosaxi four piece saxaphone group from Wootton Bassett, the Kennet Accordion Orchestra and local raconteur David Sherratt.

Coun Dow also asked jeweller David Dudley and 16-year-old Kimberley Lauf to sing songs from the shows.

Mr Dudley suggested she approach Robin Nelson from Marlborough College to accompany them.

However Coun Dow confused Robin Nelson with another local musician Gordon Nelson and asked him if he could accompany the singers.

Gordon Nelson is the conductor of the Wootton Bassett Orchestra. When the confusion was explained Coun Dow said she would be delighted if the orchestra would perform at the town hall on Thursday.

The 40-strong orchestra gave a memorable performance and the town hall reverberated with the strains of classical Viennese waltzes, Christmas music and music from the shows.

The orchestra accompanied Mr Dudley and Kimberley providing a wonderful backing to his rich baritone and to the teenager's crystal-clear soprano.

Mayor Bill Cavil, who attended with his wife Tricia, said: "Thanks to Peggy we have had a wonderful night that people will remember for a long time."