A DETERMINED group of choral die-hards has pledged to resurrect the dying tradition of boys' choirs in the North-East.

As boys are reluctant to join youth choirs, adult choirs in the region are struggling from a lack of bass and tenor singers coming through the ranks.

But a group has been established in Darlington to nurture boys with unbroken voices through their prepubescent years, a time crucial for the development of the voice.

The organisers of the choir aim to emulate the success of BBC's hit documentary The Choir - Boys Don't Sing, which follows a group of singing novices through the process of forming a choir.

Choir founder John Forsyth, the former musical advisor for Cleveland, said he hoped the TV show would do for choir singing what Billy Elliot did for dancing.

He added: "It's about promoting our choral tradition, not boy bands and rock groups. You don't hear many pop singers promoting classical singing, they're more interested in their own careers.

"We have to do something about this - we can't just let the tradition dry up."

The group was only established in September, but already has a number of bookings for concerts throughout the North-East and has members aged between seven and 13-years-old.

It is hoped the boys will continue singing and go on to join adult choirs in the region.

Mr Forsyth, who also conducts the Tees Valley Youth Choir, said he formed the choir after seeing the boys perform in Darlington Operatic Society's production of Oliver!

He added: "I saw these boys singing supremely well, but knew that when the production finished this group would vanish.

"I wanted to keep them together and establish a choir.

"All we hear about the young people is negative, so isn't it great to hear about lads who want to get together and sing? These lads love to sing and they are doing very well indeed."

Voice coach Nikki Lycett, who also teaches at Conyers School in Stockton, said: "We are getting really good feedback from parents. The improvement in the boy's confidence has been noticeable.

"They are brilliant fun and put so much enthusiasm into it."

For more details on the choir, contact Claire on 07984-773401.