A SHOWPIECE teenage choir has hit a low note after news that two key administrative posts are being axed.

Members of Durham County Youth Choir (DCYC) plan to stage a public protest at the decision to remove the positions of secretary and registrar.

The 50-strong choir is made up of the best 14-18-year-old singers from schools across the county.

Members come together to rehearse every Friday evening at St Leonard's RC Comprehensive School in Durham, and perform regularly both in and beyond the county.

Former regional winners of the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year, DCYC has also made five TV appearances.

Secretary Stuart Banks and registrar Beryl Lindley revealed their posts are considered surplus to requirements by the Durham County Schools' Music Service, a wing of the county education authority.

Eighteen-year-old choir member Katy Walls, a veteran of more than three years with DCYC, said she fears it may only be the thin end of the wedge.

"I hope this is not the beginning of the end. Both posts are needed.

"We have members spread all over the county and both the secretary and registrar play an important role in making rehearsal and concert arrangements and sorting out the music.

"We've decided we're all going to write letters to County Hall asking them to reconsider."

Katy, from Chester-le-Street, and several other choir members plan to back up their argument by gathering public support with a petition.

They plan to sing in public in Durham while collecting names for the petition.

A county council spokesman said the decision to cut the posts was only taken to bring DCYC in line with the authority's other youth music groups, which have just two administrative positions.

"Once these two posts have gone it will leave the choir with a conductor and an accompanist, the same staffing level all our other ensembles operate successfully with."

He added that some of the choir's administrative work will be carried out by the county music service's own staff.