A COMMUNITY choir is helping Oxford residents use their diverse backgrounds to find a united voice.

The Barton Sings! group sang songs from across the globe during a performance on the estate.

Choir members have been teaching each other songs they remember from their childhoods and explaining why the music is so special to them.

And they encouraged pensioners at Meadowbrook sheltered housing scheme in Stowford Road to join in during a 30-minute performance this week.

Janet Stansfeld, who leads the choir with fellow tutor Liz Hodgson, said it was the first performance since the group's future was secured with a £10,000 Lottery grant two months ago.

The 10-strong group, set up in January, performed songs from Jamaica, Uganda and Zimbabwe to reflect their different cultural backgrounds.

Mrs Stansfeld said: "We have a song that we do which has 'thank-you' in about 15 different languages that people have brought - including Welsh, Swahili and Italian.

"I think performing really helps the group focus. It's really positive for the group as well as the audience.

"It's partly about giving Barton a positive voice."

For more information, call Mrs Stansfeld on 01865 762200 or email janet@stansfeld.freeserve.co.uk