UP to 300 talented singers will take part in the first ever Southampton and Eastleigh Choral Festival this weekend.

The event, at King's Community Church in Hedge End on Saturday, will feature a varied programme from 11 Hampshire choirs.

Audiences, who can enjoy the entertainment for free by turning up on the day, will be treated to the repertoire of choirs Simply Singers (pictured), Romsey Ladies Choir, Soton Voce, Central Hall Gospel Choir the Royal Air Force Association Choir and barber shop quartet Drastic Measures during the morning session.

A lunchtime singing workshop will be led by Andrea Robinson. Founder of the RobinSing Music Academy and Gospel Choir, Andrea is an inspired musician, talented songstress and vibrant instructor and coach who has performed with and set up choirs all across the UK.

Wildern Community Choir, Wellstead Community Choir, Four Nil Folk, West End Singers and the 85 piece Mountbatten Community Choir will feature in the third session of the day.

The event is the brainchild of Peter Allen, the long standing previous musical director of Simply Singers in Thornhill and Basingstoke Male Voice Choir.

He said: "There's a festival of choirs in Basingstoke which takes over The Anvil every two years and it came to me that we don't really have any way of co-ordinating the activities of choirs here.

"The Southampton Festival of Music and Drama is great, but that's a competitive event with categories. I wanted to arrange something where choirs and MDs can get to know each other and work together.

"We're starting small, but that's my vision in the long run."

Each choir will perform a 15 - 20 minute set showcasing their best numbers in the two sessions, at 11am and 3pm.

Plans are already forging ahead for a second event on June 10, 2017.

To take part, contact Peter on 07535 958737 or in.tune@yahoo.co.uk.