HYMNS penned by ABBA's Benny Andersson will be performed by a Swedish choir in Dorset churches.

The Hässelby Motet Choir will perform at St Francis of Assisi Church, Littlemoor on Sunday, June 15 as part of its South West tour.

The choir will also perform at the United Reformed Church, South Street, Dorchester on Tuesday, June 17.

Organisers say there will be an opportunity to meet the choir, which has just finished touring mainland Europe, at the Littlemoor performance after refreshments.

There will also be a retiring collection for the church's kitchen extension fund.

Church spokesman Kimberley Dukes said: "Their repertoire is extremely varied and while here they will be singing works by Rutter, Bach and Handel as well as hymns which are known in both Sweden and England.

"They will also perform two hymns, now included in the official Church of Sweden book of hymns, composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson.

"They have also got special permission to sing one of these hymns with an unpublished English text created by the author."

  • SINGERS are being invited to join in with a performance of traditional church music by the Beaminster Gallery Quire.

The quire's musical director, Ron Emett, is inviting anyone who can sing to join in with the quire's next gallery crawl'. The quire will perform in the west-facing galleries of five churches around Bridport, resurrecting a pre-reformation tradition.

Mr Emett said the performances would take place next Saturday but that the start times were approximate.

The first performance will begin at 10am in The Chapel in the Garden, East Street, Bridport and the second at 11am at Uploders Methodist Chapel followed by midday at Winterbourne Abbas Church, 2.45pm at Winterbourne Steepleton Church and West Knighton Church at 4pm.

For more information about watching or taking part in the performances contact Mr Emett on 01935 891033 or 01308 868377.