Kingston's Orpheus Choir has been saved following an appeal by the Comet for male singers.

The future of Kingston's oldest choir, founded in 1944 was threatened in April due to a lack of male voices to meet the full choral range.

Since the Comet publicised that the 61-year-old group faced folding, several new singers have come forward and the choir now has eight male members.

Susan Higgins, who has conducted the choir for 25 years, thanked the Comet and said: "We still need more men but at least we now have enough to keep the choir up and running.

"We have made a huge effort and did lots of persuading to get more people to join.

"There are a few men now who are determined to keep the choir going and we hope to have more signing up in September."

New members are provided with music and voice training.

Ms Higgins believes that finding men to join choirs is a common problem.

She said: "It is not just us all choirs seem to find it a lot harder recruiting men than women."

With its new members trained up and on board, the choir is set to give a concert on July 2 at 7.30pm at St John's Church Hall in Kingston's Grove Lane.

Tickets for the performance entitled A Little Light Music cost £5.For more information about the choir telephone 020 8390 1020.

hsummers@london.newsquest.co.uk