A charity CD featuring songs and readings performed by a village congregation has sold almost 100 copies.

The Voices of Christchurch in Govilon have written and recorded 15 pieces which feature on the CD entitled “A Christmas celebration with songs and readings.’ The fundraising project was the idea of Rev Alex Pye, whose voice can be heard on two of the readings.

The venture has been such a success, raising just under £500 since its release in December, that it has already sold 96 copies.

“The idea behind it was to raise much needed funds for the Church,” said the Rev Alex Pye.

“It has brought together the children’s choir from my three parishes, Christchurch, Govilon, St Faith’s at Llanfoist and St Helen’s in Llanellen.”

“We also distributed CD’s to those members who are housebound so that they could follow the Christmas service from home,” he added.

The children’s choir can be heard singing songs including Mary’s Lullaby, whilst Christine Veitch, choir mistress, performed “This Night so Dark’.

John Williams, a church member who wrote and produced the music for all the songs, performed “Christmas Sleigh Ride’ whilst trader, Anil Govan of Govilon Village Stores wrote and sang “It’s Christmas Time Again’.

The CD’s cost £5 and are available from Govilon Stores.