GENTLEMEN of Kidlington, start warming up your vocal cords.

The village’s community singers are looking for fresh voices to join their group, and have put out a rallying cry for more men.

The choir, which rehearses weekly at the Kidlington Baptist Church, was started three years ago.

Christine Turley, from Kidlington, co-founded the group after moving to the village from Oxford.

She said: “It all started because retired people in the village wanted something to do during the daytime.

“Personally since I retired I often don’t fancy going out in the evenings so that’s why we started the group .”

When the group started there were only nine members, but since then the number has jumped to about 35. But there are only about seven men showing off their dulcet tones.

Mrs Turley, 68, added: “Male voices are always different, and you always get a better blend with tenor and bass tones.

“Most songs can be split into four parts, and when you can get that blend together the sound it makes is brilliant.

“When there is a more mixed group you can see the difference straight away.

“There is also an opportunity to make new friends and enjoy our growing social scene.”

As well as weekly rehearsals, the group also take part in concerts and festivals throughout the year, with the next one in Stonesfield next month.

Members also use their performances to raise money for local charities.

Mrs Turley added: “It’s a great opportunity to see your friends and put all your other troubles to the side for a couple of hours.”

Popular tunes performed by the group range from the Beatles, and classics from the 1960s and 1970s, to musical numbers.

Leading the group are musical director Linda Treharne, from Witney, and Stonesfield resident Margaret Hill.

Mrs Treharne said: “ There are songs that we can’t do because we don’t have enough male voices.”

Kidlington Community Singers rehearse on Mondays from 11am to 1pm.

For details call co-founder Troy Bryan on 07957981381.