Not only did Mike's chorus win the gold medal to make him a proud barbershopper, but it was conducted by his son, Neil, to make him a very proud dad!

Mike sings baritone with the 60-strong Bolton Barbershop Harmony Chorus, better known as the Cottontown Chorus, and the current holders of the BBC Radio 3 Adult Choir of the Year title.

His harmonious hobby is shared by his son Neil, who started singing alongside dad when he still at school. Since then Mike has watched Neil's passion for the hobby grow, a highlight coming a few years ago when Neil's quartet, "Matrix", became UK national champions.

In fact, barbershop is a real family affair for the Firths – Mike's wife Margaret sings with the Preston-based ladies' chorus The Red Rosettes and Neil's wife, Kate, is part of a distinguished ladies' quartet, "Eu4ia", who are former UK and European champions.

Just over a year ago Neil took over as musical director of the Cottontown Chorus, helping it win the prestigious Radio 3 title last November.

The pressure was on at Llandudno for the annual British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) convention, where around 35 UK choruses compete for the title. Cottontown had won at its previous two attempts in 2005 and 2007 (the winning chorus does not compete the following year), but under its previous director, Mick Dargan. As the new "man out front", Neil was keen to make it three-in-a-row, and the chorus didn't let him down.

Winning the UK title also earns the chorus a chance to sing at the London Palladium in September, as part of a special "Best of Barbershop" concert which is the culmination of a week of events nationwide to raise the profile of barbershop singing. As national champs, the chorus can also represent the UK at the international barbershop convention in Philadelphia, USA, next July.

For more information about the Cottontown Chorus, visit its website (www.cottontownchorus.co.uk) where you will also find links to the men's and ladies' national barbershop associations.