Singing should be prescribed as a treatment on the NHS, says a Canterbury music professor who claims its health benefits would have a "profound effect" on the nation.

Former head of music at Christ Church University, Grenville Hancox, says he is convinced of the evidence after carrying out a six-month research project with Parkinson's sufferers.

It used a group of people with the illness, none of whom had sung before in a choral group.

The results, he says, revealed improved emotional wellbeing and social support and reduced depression, anxiety and stress levels.

Prof Hancox recently presented his findings during in Brisbane in Australia where he worked with colleagues on the research and was a keynote speaker at a three-day Sing to Beat Parkinson’s symposium, which he founded.

Now he has launched an online petition on the Government website calling for the NHS to acknowledge the medical benefits and is appealing for support.

"A growing body of research has found that singing with other people has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of participants,” he said.

"When we sing - and every one can sing - our brains release hormones associated with physical and mental activities. It is a physical, mental and spiritual activity.

"Singing with other people in groups has a profound effect on our minds and bodies and could be a cost effective intervention in improving the quality of life for people experiencing a variety of medical and psychological conditions."

"It would be one of the most cost effective interventions available to our society and have a profound effect on our nation.

“It is also a great way to meet and bond with other people, thereby reducing loneliness and isolation, particularly in older people.”

Prof Hancox says doctors can already prescribe exercise for patients and he hopes the medical profession will now recognise the health benefits of singing.

After leaving the university in 2012, Prof Hancox established a charity based on making music in the community.

The Canterbury Cantata Trust was formed as an umbrella organisation to give as many people as possible the chance to sing together and now more than 220 people come to together to sing at four weekly gatherings in the city.

"Singing on prescription would enable the funding of such groups, including paying for venues and leadership but would not place undue burden on the NHS because of the savings in health benefits it would deliver," he said.

"I am hoping we can get some momentum behind the petition because we need 10,000 signatures just to get a government response."

• To support the petition, go to www.petition.parliament.uk/petitions/211288