THE Boyan Ensemble of Kiev returns to the UK later this month for its 14th annual tour, including a concert at Malvern Priory on Saturday, November 5.

Since the first tour in 1992, the choir's concerts, with their blend of music from the Eastern Orthodox Church and rich and soulful Ukrainian folk music, have attracted devotees all over the country.

This year's programme features chants from the Ukrainian divine liturgy, including works by composers such as Bortnyansky and Vedel.

"The music creates spiritual feelings even in people who are not religious," says Margarete Rolle, the choir's promoter.

"Sometimes people come along who don't know what to expect, dragged along by a husband or wife, and they all say how extraordinary and overwhelming it is."

The tours are only made possible by the generosity of well-wishers, who provide accommodation for the choir at each concert.

Hotels are out of the question, because the Ukraine is not a wealthy country and the choir enjoys no lavish subsidies.

The situation is worse this year because the UK authorities have charged each member £100 for a work visa, 50 per cent up on last year and money they can ill-afford.

With a gruelling schedule of 25 concerts over 26 days, taking in everywhere from Pen-zance to Edinburgh and covering some 2,600 miles, the choir works exceptionally hard

Fortunately, it has an exceptionally appreciative audience.

"The same people come again and again," said Margarete. "They phone me up to ask when this year's tour is, so they can arrange their holidays around that."

Tickets, priced £8-£12, are available from Malvern Bookshop, Abbey Road or on 01684 575915.