CHOIRS from Kidderminster are toasting success on the stage after taking part in a celebrity-packed show at a leading Birmingham theatre.

The Valentines ladies choir and Kidderminster Male Choir, who recently returned from Kidderminster's German twin town of Husum, performed at the Alexandra Theatre on Monday.

And Valentines' musical director Pam Cunningham said all the singers had a "wonderful time" treading the boards in the show called Peter Karrie and Friends.

"It was a really exciting experience," she said.

"It was very different from our usual concerts - walking in through the stage door with our own dressing rooms."

She said The Valentines were also particularly thrilled to have received a congratulatory message from their famous patron Tim Rice.

"It was really thrilling to be on the stage with such superstars as Barbara Dickson and Peter Karrie," she said.

"We were also delighted to have a message from Tim Rice saying he was thrilled that we'd been invited to the Alexandra.

"He said he was also thrilled that we were singing some of his songs. We did ones from Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess and Peter Karrie was singing songs from Joseph - so his music was quite evident."

She said they were also grateful for the sterling support of more than 100 Kidderminster people who travelled to the theatre.

And she added: "All the ladies said it was well worth all the hard work afterwards and one of them, Sue Rickhaus, actually said to me 'tonight I've realised a lifetime ambition to sing on the stage'."

The Valentines' next musical venture takes place in Bewdley Baptist Church as part of this year's Bewdley Fringe Festival, which starts on Saturday.

They will perform alongside fellow singer Russell Painter and pianist David Morgan on Friday, October 10. Mrs Cunningham added: "They're wonderful performers who performed with us in Bewdley St Anne's in February.

"So many people said what a wonderful evening they had had that festival organisers asked us to do another."

More information and tickets for the concert can be obtained by calling Pam Cunningham on 01562 630914 or by visiting Hunters Tobacconists or Natural Break coffee shop in Kidderminster.

Details on Bewdley Fringe Festival, which runs until Saturday, October 18 are also available from Janet Ferguson on 01562 405368.