The UK’s top women’s barbershop chorus is preparing to head to the USA to take on the top exponents of the art-form in the world.

Surrey Harmony, a group of 80 women based in Coulsdon, will fly out to Houston, Texas on Saturday, October 15 for the Sweet Adelines International Competition.

Organised 21 years ago within four years the group won their first UK crown, and have since competed regularly on the international scene, achieving a 15th spot in 2009.

Competition will come from not only the hosts but groups from Canada, Australia, New Zealand The Netherlands and Sweden.

Sandie Kirk, a member for the past three years, said: “It is huge out in the US, they are definitely the best. Last time out we were the best placed British Group so that is the aim again this year.

"People think of barbershop as four guys in red and white stripes but it is all about harmony. We still have four parts, just transposed up to suit our range.”

With members ranging in age from 16 to 80, the choir, split into parts tenor, leader, baritone and bass, will perform a ballad and up-tempo number to judges on October 20.

Mrs Kirk added: “The competition rules are quite strict but when we perform concerts we sing all kinds of things, pop songs, show tunes and old classics.”

Rehearsing every Wednesday night at Coulsdon Methodist Church, Brighton Road, the group is hoping to recruit new members on their return.

To find out more about Surrey Harmony visit www.surreyharmony.com