AN award-winning barbershop singers ensemble has launched its own bid to find “the voice”.

The 60-strong Cottontown Chorus, based in Bolton, is laying down the vocal challenge as part of a national Learn to Sing scheme.

The group is inviting anyone interested to attend for two evenings to try their hand at singing Bon Jovi’s hit record, Living on a Prayer.

It will be sung “acappella” which means there are no instruments being played. The chorus meets on Tuesday evenings at Turton High School in Bromley Cross.

Cottontown Chorus is the five times champion of the British Assocation of Barbershop Singers.

The group has recently returned from competing at the International Championships in Las Vegas, where they performed to an audience of more than 10,000 at the MGM Garden Arena.

“There is solid research to show that singing is good for the heart, but it’s also really good for the soul,” said Cottontown public relations officer John Kelsey.

“Participants will be singing as a group, so it won’t be daunting, and they don’t need to be able to read music to take part.”

The first session is on Tuesday, September 30.

Details on how to register for the sessions and information on the venue and times are available at cottontown chorus.co.uk.

Mr Kelsey can also be contacted on 07831 208279.