Calling all singers - the successful Marches Community Choir starts its fifth season next Monday.

New members are welcome to join the 70 or so people who rehearse weekly from September to May, in the hall of Bishop's Castle Community College, at 7.30pm.

The choir is open to all people who enjoy singing - especially men!

No audition is required. The ability to sight read is useful but not necessary - scores are available to hire and also rehearsal tapes for home practice. The cost is based on £1 per rehearsal.

The choir has been a real success story, with members travelling to Bishop's Castle on Mondays from as far as Beguildy, Leintwardine, Bucknell, Montgomery, Welshpool, the Hope Valley and Church Stretton.

Everyone enjoys the rehearsals and works hard to achieve high standards.

This term's concert is planned for Saturday, December 11, and will include the Christmas music from Handel's Messiah and carols, conducted by Mike Turner from Bushmoor.

In January the choir will start rehearsing Mozart's C Minor Mass, and perform on Saturday, March 12, under the baton of Ian Ward of Shrewsbury with his Cantata Choir and the Oswestry Sinfonia.

Also lined up is a spring concert, for May 7. Anybody interesting in joining the choir can call 01588 680312 or come to a rehearsal.