THE Dorchester based choir Encore has a new director - curate's wife and musician Margaret Durrant.

Her 30-year career as a music teacher has included the training of choirs of teenagers and adults and she is delighted to take over from Heather Jones.

Mrs Durrant paid tribute to her predecessor. She said : "Heather has been an enormous and enthusiastic driving force within the choir and I am very proud to have been invited to take over from her.

"Encore is a lovely, enthusiastic choir made up of people who sing for pleasure and to give pleasure and they have lots of fun together.

"All their concerts are for charity. New singers are very welcome, particularly alto, tenors and basses."

Engagements include the Dorchester Borough Gardens carol service, Christmas Cracker, the Tree of Light service at Joseph Weld and Trimar Hospice and CancerCare Dorset Trust and the Lions Clubs of Weymouth Christmas show at Weymouth Pavilion.

Their programme for the season will include popular melodies and songs from the shows plus Christmas carols.

Encore's first rehearsal of the new season is on Thursday September 8 at 7.30 pm at the United Church in South Street.

Potential new members are invited or to contact the choir's founder-chairman Lynn Penman on 01300 348071.