NEWPORT Cathedral is often filled with the sound of heavenly voices thanks to its traditional choir.

It has won renown far beyond the city for the quality of its singing and regularly features in broadcasts on radio and television.

Now a new group is being launched to recognise the huge support it already receives for its musical, educational, spiritual and social work.

An inaugural meeting of the Friends of Newport Cathedral Choir (FNCC) is taking place on October 18.

While there is no choir school, between 15 and 20 younger loyal choristers make up the main choir while there is also a training choir for younger boys.

Men of the choir are amateur singers from a variety of occupations, many of whom were once choirboys.

Regular tours are undertaken by the choir and in recent years it has visited Cologne Cathedral in Germany as well as Winchester and Chichester Cathedrals in England.

In 2010, it returns to sing at Westminster Abbey after a highly successful week there at Easter 2004.

A significant high spot in the choir's recent history was being invited to sing an anthem at the enthronement of Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury.

The main objective of FNCC will be to further the work of Newport Cathedral, formerly St Woolos, by assisting, maintaining and supporting its choral tradition.

An inaugural meeting takes place at 2.30pm on October 18 and the afternoon will include a concert by choristers, a cream tea, open choir practice followed by Evensong at 6.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to go along to learn about the FNCC and further information is available from John Granger on 01633 769684 or john.granger@ntlworld.com