A CHOIR from northern Italy will be performing a unique festive concert in South Cumbria next weekend.

The Joy Singers arrive at the Brewery Arts Centre, in Kendal, on Sunday November 26, with Love at Christmas - bringing a true choral atmosphere to get the festive period under way.

Their repertoire ranges from classic to contemporary gospel, and offers all styles from jazz to funk and soul.

It will also be a welcome return to the region for one of their singers: Catherine Swain is a deputy head of an international school in Mirano, near Venice, however, she is originally from Ulverston.

The former Ulverston Victoria High School pupil and player for Ulverston Hockey Club and Barrow Ladies rugby club left the area to go to university in Leeds, before moving to Venice 14 years ago.

She has always stayed in touch with her friends and family in the Lake District, and her school has just twinned with Penny Bridge CE Academy.

She joined The Joy Singers in Italy four years ago, after meeting the director, Andrea D’Alpaos, and decided to give it a try.

Besides the intense concerts in theatres and churches locally and internationally, the choir has produced five CDs, the most recent of which, The Joy Of Christmas With Friends, was released for Christmas 2013 and was mastered by Jon Astley - the famous producer of The Who - in London.

Currently in production to be released for Valentine’s Day 2018 is also their Love Songs album, which is a rich playlist, rearranged in the Joy Singers style that revisits more than 70 years of pop-rock masterpieces.

The choir also boasts prestigious collaborations among renowned artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Kool and the Gang and Massimo Ranieri.

The Joy Singers appear at the Brewery Arts Centre on Sunday November 26, from 2pm, and tickets are available from the venue's box office.