THE Cornish Christmas Harmony Choir presented cheques to local charities at a special presentation evening at Falmouth Rugby Club.

The choir raised £971 on Christmas Eve by singing through Falmouth's streets.

Bosvale Community Centre, Active Blind Leisure and Falmouth Sea Scouts were chosen from the many applicants to receive equal shares of money at the lively presentation ceremony.

In the absence of the committee secretary of 44 years, Bill Abbot, his wife Sheila revealed that since 1979 when donations stopped going dockers charity more than £20,000 had been raised for local good causes.

It was the choir's 105th year and certainly one of note. The choir's conductor of 33 years, Ventries Collins, handed over the baton to Ivor Richards. Mr Collins was presented with a picture as recognition of his service (see left).

The choir has become an institution in Falmouth, overcoming the mass redundancies of the 1970's, to continue raising money for local good cause.

Its singers come from across West Cornwall including Mousehole, St.Austell, Treverva and Nankersey choirs.

Music, at the presentation evening, was provided for free by 8 in a bar - whose members have roots in the Treverva choir.