WELSH voices will be raising the rafters in aid of two churches in Abberley.

Making a return visit, the Pontarddulais Male Choir will perform at Abberley Hall School on Saturday, April 9.

Two years ago, the Welsh choir sang in a benefit concert for Abberley Churches Restoration Fund, raising cash that enabled much-needed refurbishment work to be carried out on St Michael's and St Mary's.

St Michael's is an historically significant Norman church, built on Saxon foundations, while St Mary's is 150 years old.

To date, the restoration fund has generated over £100,000 - during the past 13 years - for the upkeep of the fabric of the church buildings.

The fund's events co-ordinator, Sally Mawditt, said: "One hundred thousand pounds sounds a lot of money but, when we first started, there was an almost daunting amount of restoration to be done to both churches and the majority of this money has now been utilised.

"Unfortunately, restoration work is a never ending task - as our hard-working committee have discovered - and we have to keep our shoulders to the wheel if we are to maintain the progress we have already made and put into effect the work which still remains to be done."

Mrs Mawditt added: "Abberley is a small village, with only approximately 550 adults, so this has been a tremendous undertaking.

"Money already raised has been done, primarily, by organising many various and interesting events which appeal and give pleasure to our visitors - you name it and we have done it and are still doing it.

"We are fortunate that the support and help the committee receive from so many of the residents of the village is still forthcoming, despite the number of years that the restoration fund has been in being."

She described the fact that both churches were continually in use as "quite an achievement".

The Pontarddulais Male Choir has won the International Eisteddfod, Llangollen and been Choir of the Festival at the National Eisteddfod, Newport.

For the concert at Abberley Hall school, which begins at 7.30pm, the guest soprano will be Elizabeth MacDonald.

Tickets are available from Mrs K Ballard on 01299 896238, Mrs M Nott on 01299 896392 or Mrs N Bradbury on 01299 896489.