THE Gwent Singers who performed with Winston Churchill's daughter, sung to Welsh descendants in Philadelphia and impressed a German Burgermeister are disbanding this year.

They've never been paid but have raised over £600,000 for charities in their 36 years as a group.

This 60 strong group of talented amateurs from Gwent was started in 1972 by Derek Watkins, who has worked as their music director voluntarily.

It all started after Sarah Churchill invited Mr Watkins and his singers to perform with her at Crickhowell.

Two weeks later she called him up and asked if the Gwent Singers would perform with her at the West End's Royal Theatre.

Mr Watkins said: We were just a group performing at charity events, then we were performing in front of the stars."

Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Burt Lancaster, Ellen Pollock and Idris Evans the Gwent Singers had gained a reputation among the luminaries of the day.

This led to Mr Watkins and his Gwent Singers performing 15 concerts across Germany during the 1970s, where the Burgemeister of Ostringer gave his glowing accolade.

He described their music as a mystery bordering on miracle and confessed he was mesmerised by their performance.

But the Gwent Singers never forgot Wales even when performing as the only UK choir in Philadelphia, where a concert was held to celebrate 500 years since Columbus found America.

American descendants of Welsh miners who emigrated centuries ago turned out.

Mr Watkins said: It was unreal.

We were performing hundreds of miles from home, and were flooded by a sea of Welsh Americans chanting and waving Welsh flags.

Mr Watkins looks upon this time fondly, grateful for the loyalty of his choir and their lifelong friendships made all over the world.

But he said: It's time to call it a day. I would consider carrying on to train some young protégé but youngsters aren't interested in choral singing, and we're getting a little old.

The Gwent Singers last concert will be held at the Newport Leisure Centre at seven o'clock on June 27, and tickets are available from the leisure centre at £10 each.