PEOPLE in Farnworth are being invited to meet up and enjoy a chinwag and singsong.

The Golden Voices choir meets at Age UK, Cross Street, Farnworth, every Thursday at 11am - but this week will signal a special get-together.

It is being tied in with an Age UK campaign, responding to the one million older people in the UK who go for a month or more without seeing or speaking to anyone.

Georgina Murray, the choir's musical director for two years, said: "The choir is aimed at people 55 and over but I'd say the majority of our members range from 65 to 85.

"It's a great thing for elderly people and retired people as it's during the day.

"They are not having to venture out at night.

"Everyone is really supportive. If someone doesn't drive, people will rally round.

"It's a social gathering as well as singing and having fun.

"It's laidback but I do work them hard.

"We do concerts, including the Victoria Hall at Christmas.

"I would like to get more members and just let people know about us."

Golden Voices is part of Bolton Music Service's satellite ensemble, where she has been a tutor since September 2013.

Georgina continued: "What I like about the choir is we do chat.

"They all will tell stories and talk about when they were younger.

"It's just a way for them to get out of their houses and it's their social occasion of the week.

"They're all friends and they see each other outside of choir.

"Some elderly people can go months without speaking to anybody, so I think it's important, and gives them that chance to meet people and potentially make friends and it's that support network.

"Sometimes we'll do more chatting than singing and that's fine.

"If you join, it's not like you have to be there religiously each week."

Between seven and 15 people regularly attend the choir each week and they sing a range of songs, from Frère Jacques to pop songs such as the Westlife hit 'You Raise Me Up', spirituals and African music.

On Thursday, the event will begin at 11am and will consist of a meet and greet with refreshments, a 45-minute singalong and mini workshop.

People are welcome to attend with family members and it will finish by 12.30pm.