A COMMUNITY choir that featured on national TV will host a mini-festival at a Boscombe landmark this summer.

Members of the Wessex Chorus, which has raised thousands of pounds for local charities, have been chosen to stage Bournemouth’s Our Big Gig at the Shelley Manor in July.

The annual event, which is run by Superact, calls on more than 250 organisers from across the country to hold gigs in their local area.

It is just the latest string to the choir’s bow following a television appearance on BBC’s Tonight’s the Night in 2010.

Music director Martin Arthur said: “We started off fundraising for research into Alzheimer’s, because my mother had the illness, and that’s really where the story starts.

“We then appeared on Tonight’s the Night when my mum was still alive, and we were still doing all this fundraising. After that, we decided to raise money for a local charity, Children’s Wish, and it’s all gone on from there.”

Our Big Gig takes place from July 11 to 14, when co-ordinators will host a show of at least four hours.

During the Bournemouth event, visitors can expect a performance from the choir alongside a host of other activities, including making instruments from recycled materials.

Mr Arthur said he was delighted that the event will take place in the historic manor house, once home to Sir Percy Florence Shelley, who had intended for his mother Mary – author of Frankenstein – to live there.

"I am thrilled that we have been chosen to host a national event and bring to life the Shelley Manor, which has undergone extensive refurbishment,” he said.

“This event is about inspiration, being participative, and giving joy through music.”

Our Big Gig will take place at Shelley Manor from 2pm onwards on July 14.