A COMMUNITY choir based in Pokesdown launched its 10th anniversary year with a reception at The Sandbanks Hotel, Poole.

At the event, Wessex Chorus presented a cheque for almost £3,700 to Bournemouth Blind Society.

The choir began in 2007 with only 12 members and has grown over the years to 40 in number who sing not just for enjoyment, but also to raise money for local charities.

Other charities to have benefitted over the years include Round Table Children's Wish, Youth Cancer Trust, Bournemouth Alzheimer group and Help & Care and representatives of those charities, and others, attended the event.

The mayor and mayoress of Bournemouth were among the guests along with officers from local community service clubs such as Rotary, Probus and Soroptimists.

The event provided an opportunity for those attending to mix with like-minded people and to hear a selection of songs from the choir’s repertoire.

Martin Arthur, the choir’s director of music, said that the choir was open to all to join, regardless of ability.

Members are now rehearsing for a series of Christmas events and further details can be found on the choir’s website wessexchorus.org.uk or by emailing martin@wessexchorus.org.uk.