WARRINGTON Male Voice Choir celebrated its centennial year in style on Saturday with a gala concert at the Parr Hall.

The event was attended by two dignitaries from Omagh, the Irish town decimated by a terrorist bomb in August.

Omagh council chairman Sean Clarke and his deputy Alan Rainey were invited by the choir's chairman Barrie Johnson. The group has strong links with Ireland and has performed there in the past. Barrie recently travelled to Ireland to make plans for a concert in Belfast and while he was there he visited Omagh and met Clr Clarke and Clr Rainey.

The choir's community relations officer Bob Williams was Master of Ceremonies at the Parr Hall concert. He said: "Over the last five years, the choir's music has carried a message of hope, of peace and of reconciliation over the sea to Ireland.

"Just before Christmas, they will perform in Belfast and in response to this invitation, they will also perform in Omagh to help provide as bright a Christmas as possible."

The concert was also attended by Terry Waite, the choir's patron, the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Albert and Jean Clemow, and the Lord Lieutenant.

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