Crowds pack into Dudley Town Hall to see Lesley Garrett and the Gentleman Songsters

A two-hour performance was held on Saturday evening in an almost packed venue, with the soprano singer performing as a special guest.

BBC TV presenter Joanne Malin was the compère for the event, introducing each performance on stage.

Organisers of the concert described it as a 'wonderful' occasion.

Pete Hawthorne CBE, chairman of the Gentleman Songsters, said: "We hold our concerts in Dudley Town Hall, and three main ones each year in Dudley.

"We invite a celebrity to perform with us every September, so we had Lesley join us this year. This is her second time performing with us. Celebrities like performing with us.

"It was a wonderful event, very successful. There was lots for praise of Lesley, the choir and Joanne Malin. Dudley Town Hall is a great venue for acoustics. On the evening it was nearly as full as you could get.

"Lesley still loves singing. She joined us on stage as well as performing solo."

The Gentleman Songsters are a charity group, who support the Mayor of Dudley's chosen charities, and are made up of around 70 members.

In the past they have also been joined by Welsh singer Aled Jones, who has performed twice with group, and are looking forward to performing with English soprano singer Laura Wright, who has performed the national anthem at English rugby matches, in March.

The Gentleman Songsters also hold a remembrance concert every year where money raised goes to the Poppy Appeal.

Footage was posted online by the group 'The Only Way is Dudley', which promotes and celebrates for the town, showing Lesley signing autographs and meeting people in the bar.

For more information about the choir, visit the website which can be found at www.gsmvc.org.uk