Choristers from Bradford Cathedral have been among scores of cathedrals and choral foundations across the UK to unite online and record a lockdown song.

The choristers' version of the song Sing Forever is to raise funds for struggling choirs while singing is banned in cathedrals.

A total of 269 vocalists, from 44 cathedrals and choral foundations, filmed their individual vocal parts from their bedrooms and living rooms.

The recordings were emailed to Norwich Cathedral, where the project was co-ordinated, and edited into a single video.

It aims to support the Cathedral Choirs' Emergency Fund appeal, which is being run by charities Friends of Cathedral Music and Ouseley Church Music Trust.

Ashley Grote, Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral, said one of the clergy at the cathedral suggested the idea for a fundraising song involving choristers across the country.

Songs Of Praise theme tune composer Robert Prizeman gave permission for the project to use a new arrangement of his piece Sing Forever.

Former chorister Aled Jones and international opera star Elizabeth Watts sing the second verse, before choristers across the nation come in for verses three and four.

"It's an amazing sound actually of them all together," said Mr Grote.

"They're all recorded on iPhones, on tablets, just in their own homes, in their own living rooms.

"It's not the same as having the glorious acoustic of all of our wonderful cathedrals, but I think people will find this very moving actually when you hear all of these voices entering into singing together.

"There's something very moving about them all being geographically separate but then singing together with one voice."

Singing is currently not allowed in public worship due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Mr Grote said self-funding cathedrals face difficulties in maintaining a professional choir.

"Particularly for those cathedrals whose income is derived first and foremost from tourism this is a particularly difficult time," he said.

"Budgets are very tight and choirs are unable to sing.

"Currently, all of our adult singers are on furlough and have been since March.

"Until there's a prospect of them singing again which we're not currently allowed to do, they will stay on the furlough scheme and we're just hoping and praying that by the time we get to the autumn we're able to sing again and get those people back into work."

The Cathedral Choirs' Emergency Fund appeal has a target of £1 million and has raised more than £800,000 to date.

Cathedral Choirs Sing Forever aims to raise £10,000 towards the total.

To view the video and to donate, see www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Cathedral-Choirs-Sing-Forever