For the first time, boy choristers aged from eight to 80 will sing together at Oxford's Christ Church Cathedral to help maintain its 500-year choral tradition.

A new trust has been established to support the cathedral's choir and a concert to celebrate its launch is being held tomorrow, hosted by broadcaster Anne Diamond - herself the mother of four former choristers.

The tradition dates back to the time of Henry VIII, when 16 boys were made to sing for their supper at the cathedral's services.

And the boys who attend Christ Church Cathedral School - which also provides choristers for Worcester College - have kept it alive.

Dr Stephen Darlington, the organist and master of the choristers for the past 21 years, said: "Being a chorister here provides a musical education unmatched anywhere in the world. Not only do the boys learn to sing at an incredibly advanced level, but they also have a lot of fun doing it. It's vital that this tradition is kept alive for future generations of choristers and also for the cultural fabric of the nation."

In a musical first, the cathedral's present choristers, all boys aged between eight and 13, will be joined by their predecessors - some of whom were choristers well before the Second World War.

The bass soloist, singing Faur's Requiem, will be George Humphreys, who was a chorister at Christ Church between 1990 and 1995.

His voice will be well-known to fans of the BBC1 sitcom The Vicar of Dibley - he sang its theme tune, with the choir. He is now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, in London.

Trustee Gordon Hughes said: "We want to make sure the tradition never dies, so the old boys and parents decided to do something concrete to keep the tradition strong into the 21st century."

The concert will launch the Christ Church Cathedral School Education Trust.

There will be a workshop and rehearsal for anyone who would like to sing at 2pm, followed by the concert at 7.30pm, in the cathedral.

Pat Hughes, whose four sons Ben, Liam, Barney and Daniel are all former choristers, said: "I would recommend the life to any family with a child who loves music."

Ms Diamond, who will introduce the event, said: "It's a wonderful tradition and I and my sons are proud to have been part of it. The trust will mean that the sound of beautiful treble voices will go on gracing the cathedral and colleges."

Tickets for the concert cost £25, with proceeds going to the trust. For more details, call Mr Hughes on 01284 735933 or send an email to gordonhughes@btconnect.com