The P&O Ferries Choir has received an invitation to perform with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the country’s largest open-air classical concert.

The singers will take to the stage at the annual summer concert held in Kent’s Leeds Castle.

The event takes place on Saturday, July 12 in front of an audience of around 10,000.

Hilary Campbell, musical director of the P&O Ferries Choir, said: “The choir is still very new and comprised of numerous people who continue to be surprised at their own capabilities.

“It makes it all the more remarkable that the group has attained the standard that it has in such a short space of time.

“The singers gave an excellent, polished account of themselves in a performance with Susan Boyle at the Hammersmith Apollo at the start of April.

"Their best performance to date, however, came a week later when they made a guest appearance at the Top Choirs Kent competition in Canterbury.

“Now sights are set firmly on taking the stage at the largest open-air classical concert in the country in July.

"It is the stuff that dreams are made of and I’m tremendously proud of them.”

It is the stuff that dreams are made of and I’m tremendously proud of them.” - Hillary Campbell

The choir’s programme for the Leeds Castle concert will include ‘The Lacrimosa’ from Mozart’s Requiem Mass, Nina Simone’s ‘Sinnerman’ and a new addition to their repertoire -‘Fix You’ by Coldplay.