A VILLAGE choir which raises funds through their concerts dontated half of it to Bedale Community Library.

Thornton Watlass Choral Group each year generates money from the concerts they hold around the area donating most of it to charity. This year they celebrated the groups 30th anniversary and raised £1,000. Choir members agreed the funds should be split between Bedale Library which is run by volunteers and the Dales Centre in town which offers meals and social contact for people in the community to provide a safe and warm environment for residents and prevent isolation.

The choir which was set up in 1990 is a mixed choir which meets on Monday evenings at the Buck Inn in Thornton Watlass village. Organisers say they enjoy making music together under the direction of Christine Carruthers and are keen to encourage new members to join, anyone who is interested in getting involved should contact 01677 423519.

Chair of Bedale Community Library Andrew Hallett accepted the cheque from Chair of the choir Jason Living and thanked the members for their generous gift. Mr Hallett said: "It is thanks to the generous support of organisations such as the Thornton Watlass Choral Group that our Library can remain open and continue to provide a much valued amenity for the local community."