The Swindon Male Voice choir raised £64,000 through a concert during a tour in Veldhoven, Netherlands, with the Corps Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

The choir, in collaboration with the choir vice-president, Doug Dunn, organised the tour with the REME to raise money for the Maxima Foundation hospital in the town.

The hospital is a centre of excellence and enables the parents of premature babies to stay close to their children while in its care.

The concert last Saturday was a resounding success and raised a total of 84,500 Euros, which is around £64,000.

Gareth Jenkins, spokesman for the choir, said: "The choir was overjoyed by the success of the event.

"It has to be one of the largest one-off charity funding amounts ever achieved by one of Swindon's amateur groups.

"It has always been one of our charities and will continue to be so in the future."

Continuing their charity work, yesterday, the choir handed over a cheque for almost £6,000 to the Prospect Hospice.

The cash was raised at a concert held in February. Sponsors, SW Transport and electricity company Innogy, also made significant contributions to the final total.

Anyone interested in joining can call Gordie Smith on 01793 822495.