A church choir is going international this New Year with a tour of churches in Austria.

The choir from St Dunstan's Parish Church in Cheam are travelling to Westendorf in Austria on February 18.

The group, who range in age from eight to mid-60s, will be singing in churches in the area as well as learning how to ski.

Roger Brice, director of music at the church, said: “The history of the trip goes back to when I went to the area 10 or 15 years ago. I visited a church there and though it would be a great place to sing.

“The choir will have to work hard though. They are on duty every day – it's not a jolly.

“They will be up singing early in the morning, then out skiing, and then singing again later.

“They will come back absolutely shattered.”

Mr Brice hopes the trip will bind the group together and improve their performance as a choir.

He said: “The trip is about spending time together as a group which is what choirs are about.

“They will get to know each other better and have ups and downs away from families which is good development for them. They will learn to cope with issues that come up.

“Also they will get to sing together every day so will develop much better than when just meeting once or twice a week.

“Singing normally improves as a result”

The trip, which is the first of its kind undertaken by the choir, has taken more than a year of planning and fundraising.

Mr Brice said: “It's been a long build up but for me it has come round very quickly.

“The logistics of getting people down there has taken a lot of planning. If we get snow we are in for some real fun a games.”

Anyone interested in joining the choir at St Dunstan's should contact Mr Brice by emailing music@stdunstanscheam.org.uk or calling 07831454252.