A DEDICATED choirmaster is stepping down after 60 years with Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir.

Frank Smith, 82, started singing with the group in 1956 and has been the musical director for the last 50 years.

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He has now decided to leave the Pendle choir in December.

He said: “It has been a fantastic time with the choir and I am sad to leave but I think now is the moment.

“I have been travelling from Yorkshire for many years and I will now concentrate on the choir I run over here.”

Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir was established 129 years ago and has attracted a large following.

Mr Smith’s father, Jack, conducted the choir for 10 years and Mr Smith sang under his direction as a choir member.

When his dad retired, he passed the baton to his son.

Mr Smith said: “It has been a wonderful journey and I have worked with some wonderful and talented people.”

The choir has won several awards over the years and triumphed at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on five occasions.

It has been three times winners of Elfgar Festival at Worcester Cathedral, named BBC Radio Wales choir of the year and has been the winner of many individual championships including Huddersfield Championships and the Blackpool Championships.

The choir was formed in 1887 and Joe Ingham was the first of many famous names to have the honour of conducting it.

He handed the baton to Isaac Thompson in 1890 and then the choir ventured into the competitive arena.

Mr Smith said: “It feels unreal to be leaving to be honest but you have to give up at some point I am fine physically but I feel that the time is right to pass the baton on.

“Whoever gets the role as musical director will certainly find it rewarding and enjoyable.

“It has been an honour to be part of it for so long.”

Mr Smith’s final performance Christmas Cracker will take place on Saturday, December 17, at The Muni in Colne.

The choir is now looking for a new musical director to take Mr Smith’s place with duties including arranging motets, classical music and many more compositions.

Potential candidates can contact the choir secretary Alan Walker by email adw24@talktalk.net.

Entries close on January 30 and auditions will take place in September 2017.