The St Michael's Singers are celebrating their first anniversary with an open choral workshop.

The event will be held at St Michael and All Angels Church, Ledbury, on Saturday, February 22, from 9.45am to 5pm.

Choir spokesman Martin Palmer said: "The most important thing has been to get people to recognise that we are not trying to compete with or be compared with the regular church choir.

"We merely aim to extend choral singing and, as we are a mixed choir, give ladies a chance to contribute fully to musical activities in the church."

Mr Palmer pointed out that the church's traditional boys choir is still flourishing under the leadership of Jane Brooks, the organist.

The new choir was set up originally by Janet Wardle, who felt an opportunity was also needed for women and girls to participate in choral singing in the church.

Mr Palmer said: "One of the most satisfying thing about the new choir is the marvellous way in which all the members have bonded, and we now think of ourselves as a group where everyone is willing to help each other."

For further details contact 01531 636114.