IF THE people who went to Christ Church Cathedral’s carol service weren’t in the Christmas spirit before, they certainly are now.

The Cathedral welcomed about 800 people to its annual concert of carols on Tuesday.

The service, which was sold out, also featured readings, three of which were delivered by actor Jeremy Irons, who lives in Watlington.

Cathedral Choir director of music Stephen Darlington said: “It went very well. The audience was very positive and rapturous in its applause. Because of the popularity of carols at this time of year it is important that we don’t let people down and I don’t think we did.

“I am very much in the Christmas spirit now. I’m a grandparent now and it’s a great time of year for children.”

The concert was organised by Music at Oxford, a concert promotion company which specialises in classical music.