A gospel choir is a step closer to the final of a national competition – and performing live on TV.

De Montfort University's Gospel Choir has made it through to the final stages of the Choir of the Year contest.

The singers, led by former DMU student Pastor Samuel Gapara, blew away the judges at a regional heat held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

The choir is now through to the "national selection" phase of the competition.

Judges will listen to recordings of all the area winners, including the DMU Gospel Choir, and put through six choirs in each of four categories – children, youth, adult and open.

The winners will perform in front of an audience at the Birmingham Symphony Hall to compete for a place in the national finals which are broadcast live on BBC radio and television from the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Pastor Samuel said: "When they came back with the results everyone was screaming. I am sure we are going to make it to Birmingham."