A WANSTEAD choir’s ode to cheddar set to the strains of Land and Hope of Glory has been named as the cheese’s new national anthem.

The Upbeat Community Choir, who meet at Wanstead High School, saw off fierce competition from a host of musical cheddar enthusiasts to snatch the top prize in the British Cheese Board’s hunt for a national anthem for Cheddar.

Their rousing rendition of ‘Cheddar’ won over 41 per cent of public votes and scored more than 5,000 views on YouTube.

As a reward for their efforts the choir will now receive a year’s free supply of the cheese.

Upbeat  conductor Tim Sutton said: “I’m so proud of the choir who really rallied around what was quite a bizarre project.

“We’ve raffled off the cheese prize already and it will split between 12 of the choir members.”

The choir has performed at the Royal Festival Hall and also sang in Redbridge when the Olympic Torch passed through the borough.

To find out more about the choir visit www.upbeatchoir.com

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