IT was a snowy winter day more than half a century ago when a silver-tongued teenager joined a valleys girls' choir for a memorable concert.

Julie Andrews - later to become an international star with lead roles in classic films such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins - had agreed to join the successful Bryngwyn Girls' Choir for a performance at the Ebenezer Church in Abertillery.

Then best known for her radio performances on the Educating Archie show, Julie Andrews arrived in the small valleys town in November 1952.

Then just 17, she sang several solos to an appreciative audience at the church.

Shirley Winmill, one of the first members of the choir who still lives in Abertillery, says the star's repertoire included Message of Love, Invitation to the Dance, Cherry Ripe and At The End of The Day.

Mrs Winmill is organising an exhibition about the choir's history at Abertillery Museum.

"At the time she was doing a lot of stage and radio work," she said. "Two years after she appeared with the choir, she went to America and appeared in The Boyfriend on Broadway - and that's when it really took off."

The programme of the choir's concert with Julie Andrews is one of the many exhibits that will be on display in the museum in Market Street.

Other memorabilia include photographs and newspaper cuttings from the choir's eight-year history.

Mrs Winmill says the choir was founded in 1948 and disbanded in 1956.

It was originally the Bryngwyn Secondary School Choir, later changing its name to Bryngwyn Girls' Choir and included girls aged 11 to 18.

Conducted by Cyril Blake, it was successful in many competitions - winning the Miners Eisteddfod in Porthcawl in 1955 and the National Eisteddfod in 1956.