A FOREST choir group are celebrating their success after coming second at the Hereford Festival.

The Coleford Community Choir competed alongside two groups including the prestigious all-mens Welsh acappella group Synergy. The group of 25 members performed at the Courtyard Theatre last weekend where they dedicated their two performances to their fellow member who lost her battle with breast cancer in January.

Sam Davies, 23, from Mile End set up the group only two years ago and has been working hard to showcase the groups' talent. He said: "I think we did fantastic to come second in the contest considering we have only been going for two years and we were by far the youngest group there - and to compete against one of the greatest choir groups in the country was fantastic.

"Unfortunately we lost one of our members to breast cancer at the beginning of the year and so we thought that we would perform two of her favourite songs in her memory.

"The third group we competed alongside was the Ledbury Community Group who came third. It was a great success for us and it meant a lot to perform two pieces that was special to our friend.

"We aren't a church choir but we are adventurous in our approach towards our performances. One day we will sing gospel the next we will sing pop. We may take our music seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously, and the emphasis is on having fun and being sociable. We perform at several concerts to raise money for various charities including Time & Place and have managed to get booked to perform at private parties. All is welcome to join."

For more information contact Sam at info@ colefordcommunitychoir. co.uk