A choir that has performed with world-famous soprano Lesley Garrett will be changing tack when it sings with Barry Manilow next week.

The Northern Spirit Singers was formed less than two years ago by students at Durham and Newcastle universities, and can include singing with Ms Garrett on an already impressive CV.

Now, the singers are rehearsing for a performance with US singing superstar Manilow when he appears at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, tomorrow.

Conductor Andy King, who is studying to be a music teacher at Durham University, said when they performed with Ms Garrett at Newcastle City Hall, last month, it was exactly 12 months since their debut performance.

He said: "We acted as a kind of backing choir for Lesley Garrett and will be doing the same kind of thing with Barry Manilow. We started up the choir in September 2000 and we did not get our first concert until April last year. The night of our first anniversary was the night we sang with Lesley Garrett.

"It has been quite a mad year. We only started out for a bit of fun, really."

The singers are all aged between 16 and 23 years old.

After making a big impression on the judges during the regional auditions of the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year contest, they are waiting to hear whether they will be picked for the televised semi-finals, which will be held in Manchester in the autumn.

The choir, which is looking to recruit new members, will be performing at Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham, on Sunday, June 16, at 2.30pm, to coincide with the release of its debut compact disc.

To contact the choir, ring 07949 168292 or visit its website, www.northernspiritsingers.co.uk