IT has some of Swindon's finest male voices in its ranks.

And now Swindon Male Voice Choir is gearing up for its 100th anniversary.

The landmark will be celebrated at a service later this month.

Tristan Russell, who has been a member of the choir for 18 months, said: “100 years is a fantastic achievement, especially when so many choirs are losing members.

"It’s fantastic that we’re still going strong and looking forward to the next centenary.

"We’ve got members who have been here for 40-odd years."

Graham Palmer, a member for 19 years, said: “It’s brilliant being part of this choir. It’s a lovely way of relaxing as I’m self-employed so there can be quite a lot of stress. But you go to choir and forget all about it. We’re not just a choir, we’re a family.”

The 40-strong choir began its life as the Great Western Railway Running Sheds Male Voice Choir, with members drawn from the Railway Works.

Its first performance was at Maxwell Street School in 1919. Later that year, its name changed to the Swindon GWR Male Voice Choir. The GWR was dropped in the late 1950s.

Originally, rehearsals were held in the Railway Works, but today they are held in St John the Baptist Church Hall on Whitbourne Avenue on Mondays at 7.30pm.

The choir has a prestigious reputation, performing at a range of high-profile events over the years including with Household Cavalry. Most recently it was named the Best Male Choir at the Mid-Somerset Festival this year.

Mr Russell added: “It was a fantastic day and so great to pitch ourselves against some fantastic choirs.”

To mark the occasion a service of thanksgiving will be held at Christ Church at 2.30pm. on July 21 where the choir will receive a pocket watch donated by Deacon & Son jewellers in Wood Street.

The yellow-gold half hunter is valued at £3,000 and has been specially commissioned with the SMVC logo face. It will be auctioned in December to raise funds for the choir.

President of SMVC Shirley Ludford said: "It is a credit to all members that they are still upholding the reputation of those who formed the choir 100 years ago."