TWO hundred and eighty singers, mostly men, will be raising the roof at a special event in Tewkesbury this month.

The Cotswold Male Voice Choir is hosting this year's Massed Choir Concert, bringing together choirs from all over the region, which is taking place at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday, June 18.

The other singers will be coming from the Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir, Churchdown Male Voice Choir, Cradley Heath Male Voice Choir, the Dudley Gentlemen Songsters, Warley Male Voice Choir, Worcester Male Voice Choir and the Diamante Vocal Ensemble, which is a small group of female singers, growing in reputation since it was formed in 2001.

Three different conductors will be in charge for the event - Michael Power from the Cotswold choir, Bob May from the Diamante ensemble and Steve Allen, musical director for the Warley choir.

Town mayor Cllr Claire Wright will be guest of honour at the concert, which will be raising money for the mayor's charities, which includes good causes all over town.

The varied programme will include 76 Trombones, Nessun Dorma, music from Titanic, a Cole Porter medley, Unchained Melody and more.

Tickets are £8 each and available from David Ford on 01242 236433.

l The Cotswold Male Voice Choir has this month started a new Singing for Beginners course, in conjunction with BBC Radio Gloucester, at Charlton Kings. Anyone interested can contact David Ford on the above number.