ONE of the region’s biggest choirs, with a number of members from East Lancashire, will be performing a special charity concert at Manchester’s Palace Theatre next month.

The 120-strong Manchester Show Choir will be presenting Choir Anthems in aid of the Christie Hospital featuring contemporary songs including, Chasing Cars, Hey Jude, Fix You and Rule the World as you have never heard them before.

The choir, formed three years ago specifically to raise money for the Christie Hospital, has made a number of TV appearances including Britain’s Got Talent, Shameless and Don’t Stop Believing.

Among those taking part is professional photographer Karen Howard, 46, from Rawtenstall.

Karen, who joined the group two years ago, said: “I am already starting to get nervous, we are on in six weeks and are rehearsing every week to make sure that we know all of our harmonies!”

The choir have made many famous friends over the past three years and creative director Daniel Wood is promising some surprise guests at the concert.

He said: “In the past we have been joined by some fabulous singers and celebs.

“At our Mother’s Day concert at The Lowry, the lovely Julie Hesmonhalgh (Corries Hayley Cropper) kindly hosted our show and last Christmas we were joined on stage by Debbie Rush (Corrie’s Anna Windass), who has the most fantastic voice. We are just finalising our celebrity guests for this show but we promise that Choir Anthems will be our most impressive show yet.”

*Choir Anthems, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Saturday, June 30. Details from 0844 871 3019.