A community choir formed three years ago in Ingol has won crowdfunding.

Community Voices was one of four projects pitched at the latest Preston Soup event.

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Based in Ingol the group has received £150 to allow the choir to fund costumes and recording equipment.

Community Voices co-founder Tanya Brown said: “We set it up three years ago as we wanted something for the children in the area to do that was fun. The children are from age 5-16 from all types of backgrounds and we work hard all year towards a show.

“We decided to pitch at the Preston Soup event because we saw it as a huge opportunity to raise some funds for costumes, but we came away with so much more than the prize. We may have found a venue for our show and many different places to apply for funding so we are so grateful.

“I think Preston Soup is a fantastic idea and I think it would be brilliant if it could be done on a bigger scale as the networking has helped so much.”

The soup events work by those attending buying their soup and drink – and the money goes to the successful community group who pitch.

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Co-founder and chair of the UClan Creative Communities Group, Russell Hogarth, said: “The CCG helped to organise the event and in my eyes everyone was a winner on the night. We had a unique opportunity to listen to some tremendous presentations delivered by passionate and dedicated community members.

“But on the night somebody had to win and when the votes were counted and the winner announced it came as no surprise to me that Community Voices were the overall winners on the evening.

“In all my years of listening to community presentations it’s the first time an organisation, made up of mainly young children, has sung a presentation in close harmony and in perfect pitch. When their name was announced I don’t know who cheered the loudest, the audience or the children. It was a fabulous evening; both humbling and heart-warming and a pleasure to be involved in.”

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Any community groups who would like to join the planning group or find out how to apply to present can get in touch via by calling 01772 894769 or emailing nfarnworth4@uclan.ac.uk. People can also follow the initiative on Twitter @Preston_Soup and find PrestonSoup on Facebook.