THE thriving choir at St Mary’s Church in Longdon is marking its 10th anniversary with a week-long celebration next month.

A decade ago Wendy Thompson, the director of music at St Mary’s, approached the vicar with the idea of setting up a church choir.

10 years later the choir is going from strength to strength, having grown so large that it has now split into junior and senior sections.

The junior choir has enjoyed particular success, having reached the regional final of the BBC Choir of the Year competition last year and performing in the finals day at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

To celebrate the choir’s anniversary, and the general life of the church, there will be a week-long celebration at the end of June.

It begins on Saturday, June 27 with a Flower Festival, and there will be a special service in the church the following day (Sunday, June 28).

The flower festival will continue throughout the week, and the finale of the celebrations will be a concert on Saturday, July 4, when world-renowned organist Thomas Trotter will perform with the choir to raise funds for World Vision Ethiopia.

Tickets for the concert cost £20, including wine and refreshments, from 01684 833152.