DORSET-based choirmaster Darren Bartlett has his fingers crossed for UK-wide success after his choir won the chance of a place in the next round of a national competition.

Salvacosta is one of just 16 adult choirs selected during the regional heats of the Choir of the Year competition.

Bournemouth-born Darren, who lives in Wimborne, hopes the choir will be one of four chosen by the judges to appear at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on October 6.

More than 150 choirs entered the contest and 16 were chosen in each category at events across the country.

The judges will now listen to all those who have been selected before choosing four in each group for Manchester where one winner in each category will be chosen to appear in the grand final at the Royal Festival Hall in London on October 28.

The choir consists of members from churches along the south coast and rehearses in Southampton.