Mr Glen Pate hopes people from the area who enjoy singing will join him in Whalley next month. The plan is for a mixed choir of men and women singers to tackle a wide range of musical styles.

Said Mr Pate: "I sang in a couple of concerts with the excellent Ribble Valley Choir, which does not rehearse all year round.

"I floated the idea that a full-time choir could give a lot of pleasure to a lot of people and had an encourageing response from members of that choir and members of local church choirs.

"I have been very kindly been offered use of English Martyrs RC Church, in Whalley, for rehearsals and have started to plan a possible programme.

"I am not looking for outstanding voices.

"The most important qualities needed are enthusiasm and a sense of fun, because that's what I hope it will be.

"Anyone of any age or ability will be welcome," he added.

Mr Pate hopes to try out initially a wide range of styles, from 16th Century church music to modern show pieces.

"We need to find out what we're good at," he said, "and then we can decide what to concentrate on."

No start date has yet been settled, but rehearsals will be in the English Martrys' RC Church, The Sands, Whalley.

Anyone interested in singing with the choir is asked to ring 01254 824312 for more details.