A South African choir that has sung for Nelson Mandela plans to get the audience up and dancing when it visits Malvern Theatres on October 1.

The 32 singers from the Soweto Gospel Choir perform gospel music in the South African tradition, where dance, drumming and foot stamping are all part of the show.

Speaking from South Africa, David Mulovhedzi, musical director and choir master, told the Malvern Gazette: "It's going to be a very happy day at each and every show. Our music is for everybody."

The choir is touring in England for the first time this autumn after a second visit to the Edinburgh Festival, where some audience members were so impressed they came to see four performances.

Although the choir begins the tour at London's Royal Festival Hall, members are looking forward to seeing smaller places like Malvern.

"We're very excited about seeing wonderful places and meeting wonderful people and we're looking forward to going wherever we're invited," said David.

"We aim to entertain and make sure people enjoy South African music."

South African gospel music combines the country's traditional music with Christian music to preach the gospel.

The programme on October 1 will include songs sung in Zulu and well-known numbers such as Lean on Me, Many Roads to Cross and Oh Happy Day.

The choir of men and women has an average age of 25 and include Soweto's finest singers.

David said only the most beautiful voices were picked to join when it was formed in 2002. Since then, the choir has performed in the Sydney Opera House and for Nelson Mandela, at the launch of an education programme.

Members met Bono from U2, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Gabriel when they performed at Mr Mandela's fundraising concert for World AIDS Day in December last year.

The choir has set up its own charity, Vugani, to raise funds for AIDS orphans back home and will be collecting donations at the concert.

Tickets are £17.50 to £19.50 on 01684 892277.