A CHOIR has asked audiences to bring along a cushion and a blanket when they give their free annual Christmas concert at a church.

The Blackburn People’s Choir concert will take place at Holy Trinity Church in Larkhill.

The concert is on behalf of the ‘Friends of Holy Trinity’ - a group bidding to bring the redundant church back into use as an arts venue.

The building has no heating and will be very cold.

Ann Parker, choir secretary, said ‘We are asking people to make themselves as comfortable as possible with scarves and cushions and blankets.

“Any blankets left behind we will give to a charity collecting items for Syrian refugees.

“We’re hoping to have fairy lights for the audience and we are welcoming members of Accrington Pipe Band for the second time – please come along and help us to create a really festive evening.

“There will be refreshments and a raffle and plenty of fun.”

Blackburn People’s Choir recently returned from a visit to the Vienna Advent Choral Festival, where they took part in an evening of choral music in the Vienna City Hall.

The concert will also feature the choir’s youth group Vocalise, who recently came second in the junior choral competition at Fleetwood Music Festival.

Jeff Borradaile, musical director for both choirs, said: ‘These young people have worked very hard and we would like them to have a chance to sing their songs to a wider audience.

“We are hoping to encourage more children to join vocalise in the new year.

“Children are aged 7-16 and need to be enthusiastic about starting to sing’.”