AN award-winning Newport conductor is retiring after 12 years.

Rob Elliott, founder and musical director of the top, and multi-award-winning, Wessex Male Choir, will conduct his last performance this December after 12 years leading the choir.

The former St Julian’s School pupil, who runs a music teaching business in Royal Wootton Bassett, formed the Wessex Male Choir in 2001.

Under his instruction, the Wessex Male Choir has won over 20 trophies, including being crowned international male choir champions at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Mr Elliott said: “It has been 12 amazing years, but there comes a time in every man’s life when he needs to move on”.

“My father, who sadly passed away last year, was a tenor in the Newport Male Choir in its heyday, and a committed member for 43 years. He was my hero.

“I also owe a great deal to three local music teachers who laid the foundations for me – John Grainger, Alan Moore and John Oliver”.

Last month the choir won, for the second time, the gold cup as the outstanding choir at the Cheltenham Music Festival.

Wessex has performed at venues across the UK including Twickenham and Wembley stadiums, Llandaff Cathedral and Central Hall, Westminster, performing alongside the choir’s patron - TV and Welsh singing star Aled Jones.

The choir is now looking for a new musical director and Mr Elliott plans to continue his adjudicating work.

To contact the choir, visit www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk