After months of singing together online during the coronavirus lockdown, a community choir expects an emotional reunion as members prepare to meet in person for the first time since March.

The HappySounds Community Choir will stage its first rehearsal in over six months tonight at Assington Village Hall at 6.30pm and will continue to meet at this time every Thursday, subject to government rules.

In accordance with the latest regulations, all attendees must wear masks and keep at least two metres apart, with no mingling allowed.

But despite these requirements, choir leader Nettie Osman told the Free Press that members were very enthusiastic about the return, having stayed in touch via singing sessions through the online platform Zoom.

Nettie, of Rose Green in Assington, said: “Everyone has really enjoyed the online sessions and it has kept morale up, at a time when we couldn’t go out and see each other.

“We’re now at a point where we can sing again in person. It’s going to be very different but, hopefully, it will take it to another dimension.

“I envisage it might be slightly emotional. Everyone is so excited. I think just being able to see each other is going to be wonderful.

“I want us to be able to give some sort of performance, maybe around Christmas. That’s a goal for everybody to work towards.”

Nettie added that she would love to hear from anybody with a Covid-secure venue in the Sudbury area that would be able to host a singing group in the coming months.

New members are welcome to join. For more information about the choir, go to happysounds.co.uk.