THE Lacock Proms 2003 will be bigger and better than ever with classical splendour, spectacular lasers, lights and fireworks.

Lacock Abbey will be the setting for the second Lacock Proms on July 12 after last year's event proved such a runaway success.

Many thousands of people are expected to attend the prestigious event, which will be sponsored by the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald.

The world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will delight the crowds with popular classics, at the National Trust owned property.

Local favourite Michael Reed, famous for his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, will be the conductor. He has recently returned from staging a musical on Broadway.

Artists will include soloist Petronella Dittmer, who lives at Lacock Abbey, soprano Janet Mooney, and tenor Edward Hands.

Proms organiser Mark Harrison, managing director of TFE Concerts Ltd, said: "We're really looking forward to coming back to Lacock on July 12.

"Our debut concert at the abbey last year was a great success with a fantastic audience.

"We fully plan to make this year's event even bigger and better."

The wide range of music to be performed will include Gounod's Jewel Song from Faust, the Butterfly Duet from Madam Butterfly and Nessun Dorma from Turandot by Puccini, and the Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss.

"The atmosphere of our Proms concerts are unique," said Mr Harrison.

"Guests at the Proms enjoy a summer's evening which starts by meeting up with friends, popping open the champagne, setting up the picnic table and toasting an unforgettable event."

Organisers have worked hard to resolve last year's car parking problems when thousands of concert-goers were forced to wait more than an hour before they could leave after the event, because of the volume of people.

Tim Prater, of TFE Concerts, said they had revised entrance and exits to make parking more convenient, so the car parks could be cleared earlier.

Nearly 6,000 people attended the first Lacock Proms, which featured Julian Lloyd Webber and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets are already on sale and can be bought from the Gazette offices in Chippenham, Devizes and Swindon, costing £22.50 for adults, £10 for children, if booked before May 12.

After that adult tickets will cost £25. Tickets are also available from tourist information centres in Chippenham, Corsham, Melksham and Trowbridge, and online at www.tfe-concerts.co.uk or www.shoppersworld.co.uk