A NEW singing group has been set up in Moreton which will help anyone living with a lung condition.

Taking part in singing has been found to benefit those with lung problems and provides a fun pastime as well as a therapeutic advantage.

Gloucestershire-based charity The Music Works is working alongside NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and the British Lung Foundation to explore how the activity helps.

The classes are free and take place at 1pm on Fridays at North Cotswold Hospital, in Stow Road, Moreton.

Anyone who wishes to attend can just turn up and sing. There is no need to register.

Research has shown that singing helps people living with lung conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma and helps preserve their lung function and quality of life.

Twenty-two British Lung Foundation singing groups have been set up across the country. Each group’s leader, in addition to being a trained musician or music therapist, has been given additional training, including information on living with a lung condition, to ensure the classes are not just fun, but can make a positive difference to each singer’s lung health.

Rose Smith who is leading the Moreton singing group said: “Coming from a background of performing and teaching I’ve always enjoyed singing. However, anyone who has sung in a choir, band, karaoke or just in the shower can tell you how much fun singing is.

“Through this group I hope we will not just improve the lung health of local residents, but have a great time in the process.”

Heather McKee, self-management and exercise project manager at the British Lung Foundation, said: “Since we started the BLF singing programme earlier this year, there has been huge amounts of interest from people living with all types of lung conditions.

“We hope the programme will continue to go from strength to strength, and that these new groups will be just the beginning of people singing for lung health throughout the entire country.”

Dr Simon Opher, clinical lead for cultural commissioning at NHS Gloucestershire CCG added: “Singing has a growing evidence-base in helping with physical and mental health problems, especially allowing control of breathing, improving self esteem and reducing social isolation."