CHOIRS raised the roof of the Crewe Lyceum when they battled it out for the title of ‘Last Choir Standing’.

More than 200 people took part, performing for a live audience and a panel of judges which included St Luke’s Hospice chief executive Andrea Ladeira.

The audience were treated to a musical spectacular, with performances ranging from traditional African music to songs written by The Beatles and Snow Patrol.

At the end of the night votes from the audience saw The Bostock Singers from Hartford being crowned winners.

The choir was presented with a trophy and a cheque for £100, which it donated back to the hospice.

Second place was awarded to The Winsford Educational Partnerships Staff Choir and third to The Nightingales from Leighton Hospital.

The evening raised more than £6,000 for St Luke’s Hospice, which will go towards providing vital care to the community of mid and south Cheshire.

“It was a brilliant evening,” said Catherine Moore, the senior event fundraiser at St Luke’s Hospice.

“The standard of performances was exceptional, and I didn’t envy the audience members having to pick a winning choir.

“The event not only raised the roof at the Lyceum, it also raised a fantastic amount of money for the charity.”

The Bostock Singers were delighted with their success in what was their first attempt at a competition.

Musical director Nicola Howbrigg had double cause for celebration as her other choir, The Winsford Educational Partnerships Staff Choir, came second.

"It was a great success, not only for Bostock Singers, but for St Luke's as well,” said choir member Shirley Almquist.

“Nicola has worked extremely hard with us over the past few months, and her enthusiasm and love of singing has rubbed off on all the choir. We look forward to future competitions.

“I believe more than £6,000 was raised, which is a tremendous amount for this first competition, doing something we all enjoy.”

St Luke’s is funded by voluntary contributions. For every £1 donated to the hospice 85p goes to patient care, and the remaining 15p helps it to raise another pound.