VETERANS from a singing group could be joining renowned choirmaster Gareth Malone in his latest choral venture.

Gareth formed The Military Wives Choir whose debut single, Wherever You Are, topped the charts in Christmas 2011.

He is now putting together a choir of Armed Forces veterans who have been affected by war for a new television series.

Researchers posted on the Haslingden-based Veterans In Communities (VIC) Facebook page appealing for choir members.

Peter Webster, Mark Alberts and Alan Willetts all applied and all three have been initially interviewed, both Peter and Alan have been put forward to the second stage and VIC is hopeful that Mark will also go forward.

Peter, from Bacup, said: “I now need to make a short audition video.

"I also have to say how being in the military has affected me and how life is for me now.

"That is going to be very hard to do.”

Peter played French horn in the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars, but like all military musicians when he was posted abroad to conflict areas he had a secondary job as a regimental medical assistant.

Peter is a volunteer outreach worker and music director at VIC and has realised his dream after forming the VIC Singing Group.

He first announced plans to form a singing group for veterans and members of the community in October 2013 and at the first rehearsal seven people attended.

When the singing group reformed after Christmas 2014, Peter was astounded when 25 members turned up.

Last year the group performed 22 concerts, from supermarkets to old people’s homes, Haslingden Street Fair to Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival.

For the second year the group sang at the Rossendale Festival of Remembrance Concert and they have already been invited back this year.

Peter said: “I am glad I have been able to share my love of music. I can’t play anymore because of a motorbike accident and then I was mugged and had my front teeth knocked out.

“I can direct the singing group though and I can still sing so I am still involved in music, but in a different way. I get a great deal out of it and I can give something back.”

The group’s first concert of 2016 was at Haslingden Tesco last Saturday and they rehearse ever Thursday at the VIC Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden, 6.30pm and 8.30pm with new members welcome.

If they are accepted for Gareth’s choir, the veterans and will be performing at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida in May.

The TV series will also celebrate veterans’ achievements and put their stories front and centre at the sporting event.

For more information about the VIC Singing Group call 01706 833180.