VETERANS of a male voice choir hope an appeal for members hits the right note with young singers in the North-East.

Shiney Row Male Voice Choir is recruiting to replace older members who are gradually retiring, leaving numbers thin on the ground.

Choir press officer Bob Robson said any man with a decent singing voice would be welcomed with open arms.

"The choir has been going for 50 years or so, but, like a lot of others, we've reached a point where older guys are starting to retire and we're trying to encourage younger ones to take over.

"We would like to hear from young men with voices. If they enjoy singing with a decent voice, particularly tenors, then we'd love to hear from them."

The choir, which practices at Trinity Methodist Church Hall, in Shiney Row, between Chester-le-Street and Sunderland, performs in a variety of settings across the North.

Among the highlights of the forthcoming season are a place on the bill at Newcastle City Hall, in October, plus a celebrity concert accompanying a singer from the English National Opera.

Rehearsals resume at the church hall on Fridays, between 7pm and 9pm, from August 29.

More details are available from musical director Stephen Rowe, on 0191-388 5112, or musical secretary Peter McQuaker, on 0191-584 2297.