A GWENT male voice choir - which is the oldest in South Wales - said it is still attracting new recruits despite celebrating its 110th anniversary next month.

The 68-strong Pontnewydd Male Voice Choir is holding an anniversary concert on Saturday, September 5 at Cwmbran Stadium to celebrate more than a century of singing.

And despite its astonishing run, the choir shows no sign of packing up as three new members will take to the stage for the first time at next month’s showpiece.

The members will be joined by guest singer Wynne Evans, well known from the Go Compare adverts and Cwmbran harpist and soprano singer Caitlin Prowle.

The choir was founded in the Bush Inn in Upper Cwmbran by coal, steel and railway workers who sang together and established long-lasting friendships.

It was originally named the Upper Cwmbran Male Voice Party before moving to Pontnewydd Mission Hall and changing its name to Pontnewydd United Male Voice Party in 1930.

In 1972 it would change its name again to become Pontnewydd Male Choir, a name which the members say is “now known across Europe”.

Paul Reynolds, one of the choir’s members, said: “It is the largest male voice choir in South Wales and we have been going from strength to strength.

“It has been in continuous existence through two dark world wars, economic depression, social upheaval and recession.

“To celebrate 110 years like this is a fantastic event. Something like this is really important for the long standing members of the choir as well as for the newer members.

“It’s just a wonderful event”.

The choir’s first big success was when it was invited to the Royal Albert Hall in 1924 which it has revisited for concerts ever since.

It performs every year in UK venues and has toured in Europe and Canada. More recently, the choir toured Normandy to commemorate both the First and Second World Wars – both of which the choir has lived through.

Mr Reynolds said the longest serving member is deputy conductor Keith Jones, in his 70s, and also Roy Fisher, who is in his 80s and has been serving for more than 40 years.

But as well as what Mr Reynolds calls the “wrinklies”, the choir is also trying to attract newer, younger members too.

The choir, which is divided into top tenor, second tenor, baritone and the bass section, performs traditional Welsh music as well as more contemporary music such as Angels by Robbie Williams and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.

For more information about the concert or to buy tickets for the concert, which will also feature performance from local singer Caitlyn Prowle, please call 01495764486.