Membership of a male voice choir has hit a record high after choirmaster Gareth Malone gave choral singing ‘street cred’ through his TV series.

Epsom Male Voice Choir (EMVC), which rehearses in Ewell, now has 70 members, up from 60 last year, and the numbers look set to keep rising.

Chairman Malcolm Brown said the spike was down to Mr Malone whose TV programme The Choir introduces choral music to people with little singing experience.

Mr Brown said: "He has made choral singing seem fashionable and fun, which of course it is."

The choir is going to Cornwall for the International Male Voice Festival at the beginning of May before its 30th anniversary concert at Epsom Playhouse on May 18.

Carole Boyd, who plays Lynda Snell from Radio 4’s The Archers, will be joining choir accompanist Lynda Chang to perform as special guests at the concert.

The pair, known as Cadenza, will perform a programme of words and music.

EMVC then hopes to attract even more members for its new singing year with its first rehearsal on the first Wednesday in June at United Reform Church Hall in Ewell.

Director of music Neil MacKay said they hoped their popularity would continue to soar and more men of all ages would come forward to give singing a go.

Mr MacKay said: "As far as I’m concerned there’s no limit.

"It can only get better. Numbers make a richness in the sound of the male voice choir."

Over the years rock and roll and jazz have been added to the choir’s repertoire of more traditional opera and religious music.

Mr Brown said: "Now we have realised if you want to widen the appeal you have got to widen the repertoire."

The anniversary concert in May will feature everything from the Lord’s Prayer to Celine Dion and Rod Stewart.

In October EMVC performed alongside other choirs for a high-profile festival at the Royal Albert Hall.

Epsom Male Voice Choir; Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Road, Epsom, May 18 7.30pm; Tickets from £11; Call 01372 742555 or the choir's box office on 01372 721799; Visit www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk.

EMVC rehearses every Wednesday at 8pm at the United Reform Church Hall, London Road, in Ewell. For more information visit www.epsomalevoicechoir.org.uk.