BOURNEMOUTH TV choirmaster Gareth Malone has chosen a West Moors woman to sing on television with the Proms Military Wives Choir.

Helen Pugh, 42, was selected to be part of a 100-strong choir which performed a unique First World War commemoration concert as part of the Proms season back in August.

The story of the choir’s journey to the Royal Albert Hall in London is the subject of a new BBC documentary, the first part of which aired on Tuesday this week.

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation was launched following the success of the 2011 hit single Wherever You Are performed by a group also led by choirmaster Mr Malone.

It prompted a number of military choirs to be set up – including one in Winchester which Helen joined when her husband Steve was stationed in the area.

Helen successfully auditioned earlier this year to be part of a group that sang at the Proms.

The sell-out concert was on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the day Britain entered the war.

Helen, who works in a pre-school, said: “There are now 80 military wives choirs and 42 of those were represented in the Proms choir. I was lucky enough to be the only one selected from Winchester choir.

“As well as doing the concert we appeared live on Newsnight, and on Radio 3 for the launch of the Proms. It was such a fantastic experience and really appropriate that the concert specifically remembered the role that women and music played during the First World War.”

Star choirmaster Gareth Malone grew up locally and now lives with his wife and baby daughter in London and often visits his parents in Bourne-mouth.

In annnouncement made this week, Gareth will also be bringing his latest tour to the BIC on December 5, next year.

n You can see the second part of The Choir: New Military Wives on Christmas Eve at 8.30pm. The Prom will be broadcast on Boxing Day at 5.30pm.