Amateur singers in Keighley will make a big noise about their new lottery grant.

Four singing groups will be set up in the town thanks to the £10,000 award from the Big Lottery.

The groups will rehearse separately during the next 12 months, as well as coming together to perform at various venues.

The hope is that once the grant money runs out, each of the choirs can continue independently.

Jo Horrox, a community development worker with Keighley and Ilkley Community and Voluntary Action, is delighted with the success of the bid.

She said: “The project aims to increase confidence and self-esteem, maintain health and well-being, and celebrate cultural and social diversity. We will bring people together in a long-term creative and collaborative exercise.”

Sessions at all four groups will be run weekly by Emma Baylin, from Shared Harmonies, a qualified natural voice coach, who teaches people to sing world and seasonal songs.

The first two groups, which are open to anyone with or without experience, will be held at Central Hall in Alice Street.

Sessions begin on May 18, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and May 31 from 10am to noon.

Call (01535) 665258.