A new gospel choir based in West Cumbria is preparing for its first concert.

Cumbrian Community Gospel Choir was formed in October by Nosa Ehigie, of Egremont.

It will stage Together in Worship Cumbria at St Peter’s Church, Kells, Whitehaven, on May 6.

Originally from Nigeria, Nosa has been singing in gospel choirs since his teenage years and led choirs in his home church there and in Aberdeen, where he subsequently lived.

When he moved to West Cumbria a year ago to work, the engineer decided to join a gospel group. Finding that there wasn’t one, he set about forming his own.

The choir now has about 15 members and is looking for more. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings at All Saints’ Church, Cockermouth.

Nosa, who grew up in a Christian home, said: “Gospel music gives you the opportunity to worship God in a way that’s not restrained. You can lift up your hands, you can clap, you can dance.”

The choir currently has members from areas including Cockermouth, Whitehaven, Egremont and Frizington, and the concert will feature guest saxophonist Sola Okunuga, from Aberdeen.

Nosa said: “For Christians it’s an opportunity to join the wider community to lift up the name of the Lord, enjoy His love and minister to Him.

“For non-Christians it’s an opportunity to get firsthand experience of an atmosphere of God’s love, where you can see that he’s not a guy with a big stick, he just wants to embrace you and love you.

“And the music is going to be great. The choir’s worked so hard. You can just enjoy the music.”

The concert is free to attend but anyone attending should register here .