A LONG-STANDING choir is getting into the festive spirit as it gears up for its Christmas concert.

The Radcliffe Male Voice Choir, one of the oldest of its kind in the UK, performs up to 15 concerts annually.

Following their successful opening concert, the 40-strong choir is warming up for their next big performance on Saturday, November 18.

The 96-year-old choir will work its magic to host a mid-November Christmas Festival Concert.

Rob Peters, of Radcliffe Male Voice Choir, said: "There is a brand new repertoire of Christmas music mixed with humour which should delight everyone and put them in the mood for a good run up to the festive season."

The choir has a significant repertoire of more than two hundred items from traditional Welsh pieces to Classicals and items from Musicals to Pop songs.

The choir, with members who hail from across the region, is under the direction of Musical Director and Conductor Keith C Heywood and welcomes all men aged 16 years or over.

The upcoming concert will take place at Bolton Road Methodist Church, Bolton Road, in Bury, at 7.15pm.

Tickets, at £8 each, include refreshments and are available from Keith on 0161 764 4581 and Peter on 01204 886325.

Visitors are urged to book early to avoid disappointment.