No room at the inn for BBC carol concert

It was somewhat apt that there was no room at the inn when BBC Radio Devon recorded its annual Christmas carol service at Exeter Cathedral last night.

More than 1,000 people packed into every available space to hear music from performers such as the Choir of St Michael and All Angels at Mount Dinham and the Big Noise Chorus.

They also heard bible and poetry readings from some of BBC Radio Devon’s famous voices including presenters: Judi Spiers, Matt Woodley, Michael Chequer, Tony Beard and John Govier.

Rebecca Shaw, 37, from Christow, said: "The queues were long but they somehow managed to squeeze us all in. It was a lovely service and wonderful to experience music in a cathedral packed with over a thousand people singing Christmas carols."

The carol service, which will be broadcast on Christmas Day, was one of many celebrations for the radio station this year. BBC Radio Devon celebrated its 30th birthday with a charity appeal of ‘Give a Gift’ for the Devon Community Foundation.

Mark Grinnell, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Devon said: “It was a great opportunity for our listeners to be part of a radio programme and a chance for us to wish them personally a Happy Christmas and thank them for their continued support of the station.”