TWO singers from Handforth celebrated their 80th birthdays this summer - by raising more than £1,300 for charity.

Instead of asking for presents, Audrey Stephenson and Shirley Worth asked family friends for charitable donations and raised a staggering £800 and £500 respectively for Handforth's War Memorial Foundation.

The talented duo are part of The Oakmere Singers - a community singing group of retired residents at Oakmere Retirement Complex on Spath Lane as well as residents from the area.

Ex Manchester DJ Leo Shorrock who 'directs and cajoles' the group explained: "We have 18 singers ranging from 68 to 90 years old and we have been singing in Handforth, Wilmslow, Styal and other areas for the past three years, raising funds for local charities.

"We perform solely for fun and pleasure but we have gained a formidable reputation for putting on professional yet light-hearted shows, which appeal to all age groups.

"All fees, donations and proceeds from our concerts are donated to local Handforth charities, such as the St George's Day Concert at Oakmere this year which raised £400 for the War Memorial Foundation."

Four of the singers who are residents at Oakmere recently entered a Dragon's Den-style competition, where they had to pitch for funding for photographic equipment. They were awarded £450 to help make films of community events at Oakmere and in Handforth itself. They will then produce free CDs for people who can't attend the concerts.

Indeed all of the group have been very busy this summer singing at Party in The Park in Wilmslow, Carrs Court, Wilmslow, Party on Oak Meadows in Cheadle Hulme, family fun day at Cheadle Hulme shopping centre, Eden Mansions summer fair in Styal, Friends of Stanley Park in Handforth, Wilmslow High School senior citizens tea party, Handforth Community War Memorial Foundation cabaret evening at Oakmere, two paddock fairs in Handforth and a concert at The Rifleman's Arms in Wilmslow.

The next concert is at Bramhall Shopping Centre on Saturday, September 12 and such is the group's popularity, the Christmas concerts calendar is almost booked up, with them performing two concerts every week in December.

The Oakmere Singers have an active Facebook page showing film clips and pictures of their events and a diary of upcoming shows.

For the past two years the group has been sponsored by Travelwise International, an Independent Travel Agents in Handforth.

CEO Christian Gleaves said: "You can see the fun they are having it shows in their performances. As a local business we are proud to be involved with The Oakmere Singers, they do great work for great causes."

For more information email oakmere.singers@gmail.com or call 01625 522717.