A WEST Somerset choir has sung its way to success in one of the UK's most prestigious choral contests.

Urban Voice walked away with the adult 'Choir of the Day' accolade following the Bristol leg of the Choir of the Year competition last Sunday.

And the success means it now goes through to the national selection stages of the competition and a chance to sing at London's Royal Festival Hall in October in the category finals.

Competing against some of the best singing groups in the region - some of whom had come from as far afield as Wales and Teignmouth - Urban Voice was last on stage.

Its members sang two of their favourite songs - Karl Jenkins' Adiemus and a special arrangement by their former musical director Paul Doolan of Hail Holy Queen.

The competition was judged by experts Ken Burton from BBC's Sing While you Work and Stephen Connolly, a former member of the world famous King's Singers, who gave live feedback immediately after the performances and graded each choir on its musicality, technical ability and overall performance.

Auditions are held at eight venues across the UK with only the very best choirs making it through to the next round - the category finals.

After that, just six choirs will compete at the final at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall in December.

The competition is recorded and broadcast in special Choir of the Year programmes on BBC 4 and Radio 3.

Choir leader Steve Bray (pictured centre) said Urban Voice had won a couple of titles at local arts festivals previously.

"But we have never competed at this level before so we didn't really know how we'd do or how we would stand up to the other choirs," he said.

"It is absolutely fantastic to have got through this first round and the whole experience has been absolutely amazing.

"I am so proud of Urban Voice."

The choir's next performance will be at its summer concerts on June 7 at the Hobby Horse in Minehead and June 13 in Porlock Village Hall.

Tickets will be on sale shortly from the Regal Theatre and Porlock Visitor Centre.