AWARD-winning Wessex Male Choir wants to add more diversity to their group as they prepare for a busy summer of concerts.

The choir, which won the 2011 Llangollen Eisteddfod, has seen its numbers fall slightly over recent years since being set up back in 2001, and is appealing for new members to try their hand.

Tim Yeoman, of the Wessex Male Choir, said the group is unique in the range and depth of their membership.

"Every group needs regeneration and we have gone down from 64 members to around the 55 bracket, so we would like to get more members, so that we get more ability to put on a large choir at various concerts," he said.

"We are looking for people who are able to sing, not necessarily to a high standard, and hold a note. They don't need to be able to read music, because all that will come in due course.

"We have been to some very prestigious concerts, and have sung on the pitches of Wembley and Twickenham. We have performed in Central Hall in London and at the Eden Project. Coming up we are off to Rutgers University in Oxford, and in June we are singing with the Norwegian ladies choir.

"Normally the male voice tends to go towards baritone bass, but obviously tenors are difficult to fill. We have got a good tenor section , but additional tenors would be most welcome.

"Our age range is between 20 and 70, which is unusual because the majority are working guys. Recently when we went to South Wales, in a choir of 118 their ages were up in their 60s and 70s, so they find themselves falling down on their numbers as well. Our choir is unique for the age range and the sort of music we sing, which includes anything from Les Miserables to swing and drinking songs."

Tim added that with the range of choral traditions in the various communities in Swindon, the group have ambitions to bring on board more BME members.

"Something that does surprise me is Swindon is made up of a diverse community, and we do not seem to be able to attract the ethnic minorities," he said. "Compared with some areas we do have the opportunity to have a lot of diversity. It is not strictly a white male choir, it is here for the community."

Wessex Male Choir performs every Tuesday at the church in Abbey Meads village. To get involved visit www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk or contact Nick on membership@wessexmalechoir.co.uk.