A choir of stroke survivors were thrilled last week to be joined for a virtual singing session by professional singer Laura Wright.

The Stroke Association’s Pennine Lancs Stroke Choir have been running sessions via zoom since the start of lockdown as a replacement for the groups’ regular meetings at Walshaw House in Nelson and Darwen Methodist Church.

Soprano Laura Wright’s appearance on Monday 8 helped to mark aphasia awareness month, a communication difficulty that some of the members live with.

Laura said: “My dad had a stroke so I know how important the rehabilitation process is and how debilitating the condition can be.

She added: “We had such a great session and it was brilliant to sing some of the old favourites and to see so many smiling faces."