TWELVE choirs will competeto win £1,000 in a community singing competition that starts this week.

The Cornmill Shopping Centre, in Darlington, is hosting the ‘Cornmill Chorus- Sing to Win’ competition, which will see twelve choirs from across the town and the surrounding area try to win the cash prize and the chance to perform at Darlington’s 2015 Christmas light switch on.

The competition will be split into three heats over the course of the next two weeks, with the winners of each competing in the grand final on Thursday, December 18,where a panel of judges will decide the winner.

The first heat will take place on Thursday, November 27, to coincide with the start of late night shopping, where the first four choirs will compete for a place in the final.

The next two heats will then take place over consecutive Thursdays.

During the heats, visitors to the Cornmill and the centre’s Facebook followers will have the chance to cast their votes to determine who makes it to the final, via voting cards that are available in the centre or by commenting the word ‘VOTE’ underneath the video of their choice on the centre’s Facebook page.

Susan Young, the Cornmill’s centre manager and a member of the judging panel, said:“The 12 finalists represent a range of talent and each will be performing two songs on the evening to really get the crowds into the festive spirit.

“We are really looking forward to hearing their vocal talent and wish every choir taking part the best of luck.”