An illumination system, comprising a radiation source and a luminescent material comprising at least one phosphor capable of absorbing a part of light emitted by the radiation source and emitting light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light; wherein said at least one phosphor is a yellow red-emitting cerium(III)-activated alkaline earth oxonitridoaluminosilicate of general formula Ca1−x−yAxAl1+a−bBbSi1−aN3−aOa:Cey, wherein A selected from the group comprising beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium, zinc, manganese, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, and B selected from the group comprising boron, gallium, scandium and wherein 0