A chorus of Brown Owls helped fill Romsey Abbey with song on Saturday.

They were not the feathered variety but a choir of 28 Girlguiding leaders, who had never sung together before and had just eight hours’ practice prior to the performance.

They were taking part in the 'Christmas by Candlelight' concert, organised by Girlguiding's 'Showtime' .

The event raised more than £1,000 for the Guides’ showtime concert at Southampton Guildhall in 2015.

Girls from Netley Marsh, Testwood, Calmore and Copythorne Rainbows units, the youngest section, used the full length of the abbey to tell the Nativity story, gathering shepherds, kings and angels around the manger.

The 1st Peartree Brownies from Sothampton brought culture to the performance with seasonal poetry, rhythm and song followed by musical interludes from Flautissimo, a 20- piece woodwind orchestra.

Director Lisa Gant, commented: "The candlelight service brings awareness of the young peoples’ talents and promotes the song, dance and acting skills that 250 girls will display as they perform 'Showtime' at Southampton Guildhall in 2015."

See more pictures from the concert in this Friday's edition of the Advertiser.