REHEARSALS are due to start for one of the North-East's premier choirs.

The Durham Choral Society, which performs its concerts in Durham Cathedral, is looking for new members ahead of the first rehearsal on Wednesday next week.

Its first concert of the new season, next January, will be Elgar's Dream of Gerontius.

Plans for the summer concert are also well advanced with a commission of Gloria by Durham City composer Will Todd. He has gained national recognition for his compositions, including Trumpet Concerto which will also be played at the concert.

The commission of the Gloria is to honour two former members of the choir whose legacies helped to start the fundraising for this event.

Additional money is being raised by a scheme to sponsor a bar of the music, with a signed certificate displaying the sponsored bar or bars.

To find out more about the society, contact the secretary, David Crookes, on 0191-384 5515.