A BLACKBURN choir is set to make its mark on the international stage after being invited to perform at a music festival in Sweden.

The Blackburn People's Choir was today flying to Stromstrad to take part in the three-day Krokstrand Music Festival.

Although there will be no Abba songs in the group's repertoire, the choir, founded in 1998, will perform a number of modern pop songs alongside traditional folk songs in Swahili, Zulu and Bulgarian!

The group was set up as a "choir for everyone" and is for people who don't necessarily read music, just who like singing.

Its reputation has led to them being classed as one of the best people's choirs in the UK, and members will also perform a special private show for the professor of music from Gothenburg University.

Choir secretary Ann Parker said: "Up until 2001 we only had 10 members and just used to meet in a room at the Exchange pub.

"Then choir leader Jeff Borradaile joined us and under his enthusiastic direction we have gone from strength to strength.

"We now have 50 members and have sung at places such as the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Arts Gallery, the Edinburgh Festival and Speke Hall in Liverpool.

"To have been invited to perform abroad really is the icing on the cake as we have never been on a foreign tour before.

"We are all really excited."

The choir hopes this tour will be the first of many and are aiming to get to the Munich Festival in 2008.

Member David Coggins added: "What is truly wonderful about the choir is that it is open to anybody.

"All that we ask is that the people want to join us enjoy singing and are enthusiastic.

"I was thrown out of the church choir before I even got my robes when I was a boy because I was putting everyone off. But now my singing has improved and I thoroughly enjoy it."

l Blackburn People's Choir meets every Thursday at Wesley Hall, Blackburn, between 7.30pm and 9pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information visit www.blackburnpeopleschoir.org