TWO local choirs joined residents and staff at a new retirement development to raise money for charity.

Simply Singers and Crescendo Youth choirs were at the new Emerson Court development, on Carmel Road North, Darlington, to raise funds for the Royal Voluntary Service.

The Sing Your Heart out event was one of a series of musical performances taking place in similar developments around the country to raise funds for the older people's charity.

Developer McCarthy and Stone was aiming to raise over £130,000 for projects across the North East, and the rest of the country, but so far has raised more than £271,148 for the charity.

Retirement home guests, homeowners and their friends and families were invited to the event to enjoy music from 15-piece adult choir Simply Singers and Crescendo Youth Choir, which is made up of children aged eight to 16 years old.

Anna Smith, choir leader of Crescendo Youth Choir, said: "We had a wonderful time singing for the homeowners at Emerson Court. 

"There was a lovely atmosphere with a really appreciative audience, and it was particularly special to finish off the concert with a room of all ages joining in together to sing White Christmas. 

"The children work so hard in rehearsal and I am incredibly proud of how well they sang today. 

"One homeowner commented how the children's faces lit up as soon as the music came on, showing how much they love to sing - and the audience must have enjoyed it too, as the only complaint we had was that the concert wasn't long enough."