EXPERT punters are needed to help with a large opera event which will see a group of people entertained by professional singers on Oxford’s River Cherwell.

Touring singing company Opera Anywhere, based in the city, needs at least three trained punters to help with a singing event on the water on Friday (Aug28).

At 6pm nine punts will float down the River Cherwell, holding a total of 40 people, while an opera singer on each punt entertains the crowds.

The event has been booked by the Federation of Small Businesses, which is organising a fun conference for employees.

Founder of Opera Anywhere Mike Woodward said: “We have been doing opera punting on the river for a while now and occasionally we get a large group book us.

“On August 28 we have a group of 40 people travelling on punts while we perform.

“There’s something very special about the atmosphere.

“It’s quite a resonating sound, especially on the River Cherwell as it’s quite narrow. It makes a really lovely evening”

Although this will be a private event, Mr Woodward said members of the public were often keen to watch from the edge of the river.

He said: “Very often the general public walk by looking gobsmacked.

“They don’t often see people performing on punts.”

To help out with the large group, Opera Anywhere is searching for at least three expert punters to help out on the night.

Mr Woodward added: “We sometimes need people to punt – very often the singers do it as well and sometimes we get students.

“They do have to be trained though as with a big group it can get quite exciting.”

Opera Anywhere is a touring opera company that performs “any place, any time, anywhere”.

The group offers singers for weddings, on punts and on ice.

Catch singers from Opera Anywhere performing from 6-9pm.

They will set off from the Cherwell Boat House restaurant in Bardwell Road and then move up the river towards Marston.