ONLY two-and-a-half years years after coming together, a Swindon choir has won a place at one of the world's most prestigious music competitions.

Wessex Male Choir beat 29 other choirs for a place at July's Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod.

Festival spokesman Nigel Davies said it was an amazing achievement.

"We have applications coming from choirs that have been together for decades and they don't even get through," he said. "They've done exceedingly well."

Wessex Male Choir's musical director, Robert Elliott, 36, of Wootton Bassett, said he was ecstatic to hear the group had been selected.

"It was the plan to do this from the outset," said Robert. "But to do it within two-and-a-half years is a fantastic achievement."

The choir had to send the judges a 20-minute recording and complete a detailed application form before being invited to compete.

"Getting there in the first place is winning," said Robert. "I don't know of any other choir that would have got there so soon.

"This is regarded as the premier eisteddfod across the globe. It's down to sheer determination and a lot of hard work."

Robert added that many choirs did not even bother applying because standards at the festival were so high.

Not that the choir, whose 44 members are drawn from all around the Swindon area, is unused to success.

In its first competition, in May last year, it walked away with the Cheltenham Orchestral and Choral Societies Challenge Cup.

But Robert, who with accompanist Mary New and a handful of other keen singers set up the choir, said that the group was not about to rest on its laurels.

The choir has already started practising for the competition on July 9 and 10.

"We've still got a long way to go," he said.

The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at the Church of Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads, which, as its website says, "is strategically placed next to the Abbey Meads pub".

Anybody interested in joining should call membership secretary Steve Jones on 01793 771660.

The choir's website is at www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk