WHEN Dawn Malcock was eight she joined St John the Baptist Church Choir in Shipton Moyne as her AA mechanic father needed somewhere for her to go while he was at work.

On Easter Sunday she clocked up 70 years with the choir and will celebrate the landmark with a choral service at the church this Sunday at 4pm.

In the seven decades that Dawn has been a chorister she has seen 18 vicars take over at the church and she remains happily hitting the high notes each week.

Dawn, who lives in Tetbury, said: “I do enjoy singing in the choir.

“I do not know why I have stayed in it really. I lived in Shipton Moyne until 34 years ago and nearly left then.

“When I told the the girls in the choir I was leaving they told me I wasn’t leaving the village and the choir so I stayed in the choir.”

Dawn went on to say that she was really grateful Chrissie Carling for organising this service and organist David Bradbury for playing at it.

Rev Poppy Hughes, will be speaking at the service which has been called Songs of Praise, in Dawn’s honour.

A number of other vicars who have served the St John the Baptist community during Dawn’s tenure in the choir are also expected to return.

As well as singing in a church service once a week, Dawn likes to keep busy playing bowls and helping run a class for older people.

“As long as I can still drive there I will be there,” Dawn laughed. “ If I can still play bowls I can still be in the choir.”