MEN who are in fine voice are being sought by Maidstone Choral Union to help them celebrate its centenary in style.

The union, which is in its centenary season, is staging a prom which promises to be one of the highlights of the 11th International Maidstone Music and Dance Festival this July.

Organisers are looking for men who enjoy singing in the bath or shower, or on the terraces, to put their voice to good use and join the chorus at the prom. It will include the chance to perform with a professional orchestra, on Saturday, July 5, from 7.30pm at Mote Hall in Maidstone Leisure Centre.

The festival prom, conducted by musical director Jeffrey Vaughan Martin, will include in its programme Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March Number One.

Those interested in being part of the spectacular evening will, once they have applied, be given a tape of two popular pieces by Verdi - the Anvil Chorus from II Trovatore and the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco - to practise with, at a cost of £5.

They will then join two of the choral union's rehearsals before taking part in the exciting evening, as well as receiving a free ticket to the concert.

The festival prom follows on from the union's largest ever event held in April, when more than 200 singers and a 70-piece orchestra performed at Mote Hall to celebrate its 100 years of music.

Led by only its fourth musical director, Mr Vaughan Martin, it has an ever-growing repertoire and is still going strong. To take part in the festival prom, contact the choral union by email at maidstonechoralunion@hotmail.com or write to Chorus-Operatunity c/o 30 Hazelwood Drive, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0EA.

The rehearsals will be held on Tuesday, June 17 and Tuesday, July 1, at Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone.

For tickets to the prom, priced £6 to £13, telephone the ticket secretary on 01622 726193 or Maidstone Leisure Centre on 01622 761111.