The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is to be officially recognised for its association with Lowestoft tonight (Friday) as a special civic award is presented at the town's Marina Theatre.

Mayor of Lowestoft Stephen Ardley and deputy mayor Malcolm Cherry will present the world famous orchestra with a special Coat Of Arms in recognition of its decade of association with the town and ongoing commitment to providing music of the highest calibre.

The presentation will take place before the orchestra's opening concert in its 2015 season at the Marina Theatre, having been resident at the venue since 2005.

As Lowestoft lost its borough status in the 1970s, becoming part of the wider Waveney District, it was not possible to bestow the Freedom of the Borough on the orchestra. So the Charter Trustees, a committee set up to administer civic and ceremonial events in the former borough, decided to present a special replica of the town's Coat Of Arms.

Managing director of the RPO, Ian Maclay, said: 'The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be honoured to accept The Lowestoft Coat of Arms in recognition of the orchestra's commitment to bringing the highest quality music making to Lowestoft and the surrounding area.'

Chief executive of the Marina Theatre Trust, Martin Halliday, said: 'We are extremely proud of our relationship with the RPO and their commitment to Lowestoft, which has allowed our audiences to enjoy world class performances never before seen here on the east coast.'

The official ceremony to present the Coat of Arms to the orchestra will take place at 7.30pm tonight, prior to the start of the first concert in the orchestra's 2015 concert series. Conducted by Grzegorz Nowak the concert entitled Classical Favourites includes Dvorak's Carnival Overture, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 and Brahms Symphony No. 2 and features international soloist Alexandra Dariescu.

? To book seats for the concert, please call the box office on 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk