Cowboys and swimmers among choristers touring UK

Rodeo cowboys, opera soloists and long distance swimmers are just some of the members of a choir from Houston touring the UK this month.

The Parish Choir of St Martin's Episcopal Church starts its tour on Monday at St Paul's Cathedral, where it will be welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

St Martin's is the largest Episcopal Church in the US, with more than 8,600 members.

The tour will also take in Lincoln Cathedral on 20 June, York Minster on 21 June, Durham Cathedral on 22 June, Hexham Abbey on 22 June, and St Giles’ Cathedral Edinburgh on 24 June.

The choir is made up of seasoned volunteers and professional singers.

They will be performing a programme of music that draws from the heritage of the Anglican Church, ranging from the ancient to the modern.

Works by American composers Stephen Paulus and Ashley White, the German composer Hugo Distler, and English composers Thomas Tallis and Bob Chilcott will be among those performed by the choristers during their tour.

Choir spokesman Hazel Bartram-Birchenough said: "The music will be very special and there is an interesting variety."