Carlisle Community Choir has received almost £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The money - £9,980 - will be used over the next 12 months for the choir to provide singing tuition days, attend competitions, add to its music library and for concert costs.

The choir was founded in 2012 and currently has just over 100 members. It does not hold auditions and is open to all.

Chairperson Linda Coles said: "Members of the choir come from all backgrounds and age ranges. The choir has an amazing community feel where all members are supported and included.

"It is so much more than a group of people who meet to sing. Many friendships have been made and it is a truly supportive and welcoming place to be.

"The lottery funding was achieved by describing the ethos of the choir, and with submissions from some members about the benefits of being part of a community choir.

"Special thanks go to Anne Dalton and Sue Scott for organising our application to the fund, and to the members who submitted statements in support of the application."

The choir has performed in the BBC's Choir of the Year competition at Glasgow City Halls and at the Sage in Gateshead. At Glasgow it was named choir of the day.

Closer to home it has sung at Carlisle's Christmas lights switch-on and the opening of the city's Old Fire Station arts centre.

Last summer the choir said goodbye to founding musical director Andrew Nunn, who became musical director with the Ulster Youth Choir.

Linda said: "Our new musical director is Ellen Mawhinney, an experienced conductor and professional ensemble singer who studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

"Award-winning accompanist Kristine Donnan has remained with the choir. We are incredibly lucky to have such talented musicians working with us."

The choir competed in the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition on March 3. "We had a fantastic day and are now awaiting the critique from the judges," said Linda.

Last week the choir competed in Carlisle Music and Drama Festival.

It will give a concert in St Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle, on Friday April 5 at 7pm. Tickets £7 for adults and £2 for children. Proceeds to Hospice At Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

The choir's summer concert is on Sunday June 9 at Austin Friars School. There is no admission charge.

Singing tuition days are held for choir members around three times a year. Professional singing coaches help members to improve their technique.

The choir welcomes new members and is especially keen to recruit more male singers to improve the blend of voices.

All are welcome to attend choir practice at Holy Trinity Church, Stanhope Road, Carlisle, on Sundays at 3.30pm. Email carlislecommunitychoir@hotmail.com for more information.