FORMER members of the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School Chamber Choir reunited under the wing of the County Music Service to sing in Morocco during half term.

An exciting journey by minibus, plane, bus and ferry was followed by nearly four days in Tangier, at the western tip of North Africa.

The choir gave a concert to launch the centenary celebrations of St Andrew's Church, in the heart of the city, led by conductor Sue Hughes.

The varied programme was enthusiastically received by an international audience, many of whom returned to hear the girls sing choral communion for All Saints the next morning and, later, Evensong to renaissance music in the nearby French Roman Catholic Church.

In their free time, the girls explored the city, discovering the tiny streets of the Arab medina, and the souks - a lively marketplace where their bargaining skills developed rapidly. They also enjoyed the local cuisine, including couscous, exotic tangines, and fresh charcoal-grilled fish, washed down with sweet mint tea.

"It was a fascinating experience with some wonderful singing - not only by them, but also by the regular 4am call to prayer from the mosque next door!" said tour organiser Stefan Scot.