ASIDE from the occasional football chant, ask most men to stand up and sing in public and the response is not likely to be polite.

But 20 weeks ago, Leigh Orhpheus Male Voice Choir did just that - and have been overwhelmed at the response they received.

In September last year, the choir launched Come and Sing, a project aimed at taking 40 inexperienced men and turning them into a choir to perform a charity concert later this year.

Thanks to an article highlighting their plans in the Echo, more than 90 men applied, with 66 eventually signing up for the weekly rehearsals to whip them into shape under the tutelage of Leigh Orpheus musical director and conductor, David Clark.

The project was his brainchild and was developed from the TV programme The Singing Estate, where members of a housing estate were crafted into a choir to sing a one-off concert at the Albert Hall.

David admits he wasn't sure he could pull off something similar here. But proving the adage he who dares wins, Come and Sing has been a great success.

"From the very first rehearsal, all of those involved in running this project were absolutely taken aback - we knew then we were on to something special," beams David.

"I think a lot of people didn't expect to get in."

But Come and Sing they did, and the project was forced to change its original rehearsal venue as the numbers swelled.

Brian Nichols, one of ten mentors from the main choir who have supported the raw recruits, explains: "When they sang for the first time in front of us, it was magical - some of us were welling up.

"There was this huge group of guys who had never met each other before, singing together and making a sound equivalent to those who have been singing for many years."

From the start, David maintained singing was a natural ability for everyone. It was singing with a group which took extra skills he was able to teach.

"The highlight for me has been their continued enthusiasm and the realisations of our aims," he says. "Over the weeks, it has been dawning on them the potential they have and that has been fantastic."

Brian says: "It has built a community. We have given people an opportunity and a new focus for their week and the chance to meet and make new friends."

Their efforts get a first public airing on Saturday, May 19, when the Come and Sing recruits perform their one-off concert.

It is being billed as their "farewell debut concert" as after that, they will perform solely alongside the established choir, leading up to the Cliffs Pavilion charity concert in October in aid of the Essex Air Ambulance and the RNLI.

News of the challenge spread fast and David has received requests from other male voice choirs around the country wanting to do the same - including some Welsh choirs, which Brian says is especially gratifying.

"There really is no greater accolade in the world of the male voice choir than to be lauded by the Welsh. It has really given us confidence."

David believes Come and Sing - which has now swelled the massed choir ranks to more than 120 members - has made it a force to be reckoned with.

"Our size, together with our potential quality, makes it a very exciting prospect," he says.

"We believe we are now one of the biggest choirs in the country as far as male voice is concerned."

With the choir celebrating 40 years next year, Brian believes Come and Sing is the key to keeping the spirit of the choir alive.

"It is good to think we are in such a good position going forward into the next 40 years," he states. "It is not just about our size, though, but the quality of the sound we make, which is really impressive."

For more information on Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir, visit www.lomvc.org

The Come and Sing Farewell Debut Concert takes place at the Salvation Army Temple, London Road, Hadleigh, on Saturday, May 19, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7, or £6 concessions. For more details, call 01268 741373.