A CHOIR has been bringing smiles to elderly residents in care homes across Maldon district.

The Sound Collective Chorus have been touring and performing in care homes throughout Maldon and the Dengie, singing familiar and beloved songs such as Daydream Believer, The Sunny Side of the Street and Here Comes the Sun for the residents, who sometimes can be the most isolated in our community.

The "Bring Me Sunshine" tour visited all eight care homes in just one Saturday afternoon.

Emma Durrant, the choir director, said: "We’ve sung for the BBC, ITV, Corporate Clients and huge audiences and more recently in a Channel 4 Christmas special but for the 50 singers that came on this tour, nothing has been as special as this."

The idea came after owner of Suzie’s Gift and Tea Room in High Street, Maldon, Susie Pugh created a washing line filled with wishes and requests from local care home residents.

Many of the requests were for music, a visit from a choir and for a sing-along.

Theresa Kelly, activities coordinator at Firstlings care home in The Street, Heybridge, said: "The residents at Firstlings interacted so well with The Sound Collective Chorus.

"We would love to have them back in our home because of the feel-good factor and the joy they all brought.”

The residents were smiling from ear to ear as were the performers, who even described the events as an "emotional experience".

A resident at Boucherne care home in Holloway Road, said: “I enjoyed it very much, I partly knew most of the songs and borrowed the choir words so I could join in all of them.”

Gosia Edwards, a member of the choir, said: "It was wonderful experience. Very emotional and humbling. You see faces change and hands start moving and it makes you choke.

"It was a lovely thing to be part of.”