IT is a world class orchestra with a global following and has been described as a cultural jewel.

It is also a charity, a community organisation and a business.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has just completed a hugely successful season, culminating in the return of the Proms in the Park after a five year absence.

Now the Daily Echo is publishing a beautiful new book to celebrate the achievements of the BSO.

The 160 page hardback book contains hundreds of pictures from our archives telling the incredible story of the orchestra from its founding by Dan Godfrey as the Bournemouth Municipal Band in 1893, to the present day.

The pictures are accompanied by text at the beginning of each section outlining the key moments in the BSO’s rich and colourful history and introducing its principal characters.

The forward to the book has been written by the current chief conductor, Kirill Karabits.

The book is the latest of the Echo’s successful series of books in the past few years including Coast, Dorset Then and Now and last year’s sell out publication on AFC Bournemouth.

Editor and Head of News at the Daily Echo, Andy Martin, said: “The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is an incredible institution which has been an integral part of the cultural life of the area since 1893.

“We are very, very proud to have had a long association with the BSO for decades, as I have discovered looking at our archives going back 100 years.

“We are absolutely delighted to be publishing what will be a fantastic account of the life and times of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.”

‘The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, From 1893 to the World’ will be available in the shops and through the Daily Echo from the end of September.

The book ends with four pages of pictures from August’s Meyrick Park Extravaganza, which also features on the cover.

For information on pre-orders please call 0845 189 8250. For more general information call Roger Thresh in the newspaper sales department on 01202 411236.

The book costs £14.95.