SING when you’re winning, goes the Port Vale FC chant and Robbie Williams album.

And that is what Cheshire Chord Company has been doing since 1993.

Warrington’s only women’s barbershop chorus headed to Bournemouth to take part in the annual Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) competition, which this year also ran alongside the European Barbershop Convention.

The singers were scooped the silver award at the national contest and took fourth place in the European rankings.

Rachel Sheldon, from Cheshire Chord Company, said: “The weekend started with the quartet competition in which we were delighted to have two groups to support – Shockwave and Halo – who both put on fantastic performances in the semi-finals.

“We then took to the stage ourselves for the chorus competition. Our time on stage flew by but it was such an exhilarating experience, particularly for our seven new women. The warmth of the audience reaction was just immense, and not one we’ll forget any time soon.”

Cheshire Chord Company is a multi award-winning choir taking gold, silver or bronze in every national competition it has entered.

The chorus was formed in 1993 by 12 women, who rehearsed in the back room of the Jolly Thresher pub in Lymm.

It is now a 70-strong chorus with the youngest member being just 12 years old.

Rachel added: “I’ve been singing barbershop for six years, but only joined the chorus in 2015.

“I had admired the chorus for a number of years, so when I was offered a job in the north west, being able to join Cheshire Chord when I moved was a dream come true.

“There’s a real thrill that comes from singing at such a high standard, but one of the best aspects of barbershop is the community that comes with it.

“Particularly with having the European element to our competition this year – it enabled us to make so many new friends from across the UK and Europe.”