First female conductor 'proud' to lead Proms finale

American conductor, Marin Alsop, is to become the first female conductor of the Last Night of the Proms in its 118 year history.

The violinist is the music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra.

She told BBC Radio 5 live's Phil Williams, "I'm very, very proud but I'm also a little bit surprised that we can arrive at the year 2013 and there can still be firsts for women."

The BBC Proms runs from 12 July to 7 September. The full list of events can be found at the BBC Proms website.