The atmospheric video for the latest contender to top the Christmas charts was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge. My Favourite Time of Year by the Florin Street Band is set to take the music industry by storm in the race to reach the festive charts much coveted No 1 slot.

A heart warming song with strong melodies and a style that echoes classic Christmas carols and evokes the festive tradition, My Favourite Time of Year is the most ambitious, independently produced Christmas release in decades. While writing the lyrics, composer Leigh Haggerwood imagined a Victorian winter wonderland setting with snow-filled streets, lanterns and a magical feel.

Using the existing Victorian Streets and costumed characters at Blists Hill as the backdrop, this vision was recreated under director Nick Bartleet from Pixelloft and American cinematographer, John Perez. Commenting on the choice of location Leigh Haggerwood said, “Blists Hill is a wonderful place, very authentic and quaint and the result is a beautiful video that really captures the spirit of Christmas.”

The video was filmed on a shoe-string budget with a cast and crew of over 100 people. Canal Street was renamed as Florin Street for the video. To exactly recreate Leigh’s vision, additional Victorian lampposts were located along the street and a specialist company covered the streets and buildings with artificial snow to provide a perfect winter wonderland. To add to the atmosphere two huge lighting balloons were suspended above Canal Street to give the illusion of moonlight.

For the music recording, Leigh gathered together dozens of his musician friends, including the English Chamber Choir, to form a collective under the name of The Florin Street Band. It was recorded at Trevor Horn’s Sarm Studios, London in August and will be released on Monday, 6th December 2010. For behind the scenes photos, details about the band and the making of the video visit www.florinstreet.com