A HEREFORDSHIRE choir has raised more than £5,500 as it gives back to the charity that helped the musical director.

The Leominster-based choir Choral Diversity raised the money in aid of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis with its end-of-year concert and raffle.

The charity researches the invisible and terminal disease and supports those suffering and their families, who include the choir's musical director Beth Melling.

Her mother Melissa Hippard died in May 2019 after living with the condition, with the pair supported by the charity.

She was described by a spokesperson as a "deeply-beloved member of the choir family".

Beth Melling said: "I am so proud of our choir family, their support this year has been incredible and their enthusiasm in fundraising for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis means we are supporting so many others."

A total of £5,745 was raised in the choir's annual charity Christmas concert at the Shire Hall in Hereford on December 14, which means over the last four years Choral Diversity has raised more than £20,000 for various charities.

The choir committee chair Wendy Watkins praised all those involved with the concert.

She said: "We would like to thank everyone for helping to raise this incredible amount in memory of Melissa."

"A fun, festive evening was had by all."

Powell and Co Construction of Kingsland sponsored the event, and many local and national businesses, artists and the choir members themselves contributed more than 70 prizes for the raffle.

For more information about the choir, which meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at Leominster Golf Club, contact choraldiversity@gmail.comor see facebook.com/choraldiversity.