A group of carol singers are limbering up their vocal cords ahead of a world record attempt tonight.

The congregation hopes to enter the Guinness World Records as part of the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locations.

Two independent monitors will verify how many join the festive sing-a-long at St John’s Church, New Malden, which will replace the traditional annual candlelight carol service on Sunday, December 18.

About 20 enthusiastic singers received a positive reception when they sang in the streets around the church, near Homebase in Kingston Road, during a practice a week before the service.

Church warden Christine Keen said: “Last night we went carol singing in the streets around us.

“Some people opened the door to give us money, but we were just trying to bless them and give them pleasure.

“The theme is to show that Christmas begins with Christ, when you look at the word."

The Premier Christian Radio initiative aims to recruit more than 15,000 people to join in for 15 minutes of carolling.

The record attempt is part of the Christmas Starts with Christ campaign.

The service will include Christmas favourites such as Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Away in a Manger.

Associate vicar Helen Durant-Stevensen said: “We hope many people from our community will join us for this festive event."

The carol service will start at 6.30pm, and is expected to last just over an hour.