A community choir has raised more than £1,000 at its first concert with a new musical director.

Davenant Community Choir performed a varied programme of classical, choral and musical pieces on Saturday at St John’s Church, in Church Lane, Loughton.

It was the first performance under new temporary musical director Fru Chilvers, who is standing in for the choir master of 17 years, Peter Crowe, who is suffering from ill health.

Around 130 people packed the church to help the 40-strong choir fund future performances.

Soprano Linda Strudwick said: “We were very pleased. It was one of our best performances if not our best.”