NEXT month the young voices of the Amabile Girls Choir travel to Buxton Opera House for their biggest day so far.

With an appearance in the glittering final firmly in their sights, the singers are revving up for the last lap in the Sainsbury Choir of the Year competition, lining up with seven other ensembles in the semi-finals on November 10.

Choir director Charlotte Jackson is understandably excited at the prospect of winning through with the choir she set-up in 1996: "To get where we are in such a short time is quite an achievement.

And the girls are determined to keep going.

"They want more of the buzz they felt after the concert in Edinburgh," - the thrilling performance which landed the Kendal-based vocal oufit a place in the semis and a television appearance: both the semi-finals and Royal Albert Hall spectacular are broadcast on BBC-2 during the Christmas period.

However, before the journey to TV stardom, the girls having a pressing engagement in Going for a Song at St Thomas's Church, Kendal, tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm).

A fund-raising concert - to cover the cost of new concert blouses - where songs can be sponsored beforehand or auctioned on the day.

Numbers such as Pie Jesu and Vivaldi's Laudamus te from Gloria are being offered for sponsorship and works including the letter duet and flower chorus from The Marriage of Figaro are up for bids.

The day after (Sunday) the ensemble will take part in a choral workshop given by National Youth Choir director Mike Brewer also at St Thomas's (2-5pm).

Charlotte says anyone can go along and watch.

For the auction concert Anne Conder steps in for the usual accompanist Sue Doherty.

And John Asher is auctioneer.

Having coffee with Charlotte she's as proud as punch of her 36-strong choir, which is growing weekly as its reputation spreads.

And she's also trying to get a training choir up and running.

In addition, the popular soprano says she pleased that one of the choir's first members Faye Aspden has been awarded a place at London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, world-renowned as a centre of excellence.

It's a dream come true for the 14-year-old Kendal girl, who, as well as sing with Amabile, danced with Margaret Bowers' Tokari and worked with Ann-Marie Coulston at Stagecoach.

Further details of Going for a Song on 01539-730986.