MEMBERS of St Christopher's CE High School Choir in Accrington will be limbering up their vocal chords as they prepare to compete to become the 'pop idols' of the choral world.

The 60 young members are heading for the Warwick Arts Centre near Coventry for the first round on the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year 2002, the biggest amateur choral competition in the UK.

Facing competition from choirs from all over England they will be hoping to be named Sainsbury's Choir of the Day. The next hurdle is the National Selection stage in June followed by the BBC televised category finals at the Lowry in November.

Just four choirs will eventually make it to the grand final at the Royal Albert Hall when thy will compete for the top choral accolade plus the £3,000 first prize.

St Christopher's have entered the competition in previous years. Their first round competition is against 14 other contenders including two previous semi-finalists.