The average age of a Treorchy chorister is mid-50s

Recording football anthems, chart-topping love ballads and a tribute to Queen are forming part of a choir's bid to stay popular.

Despite fears about the futures of some Welsh choirs because of dwindling numbers, Treorchy Male Choir in south Wales maintain they are as popular as ever.

Alan Morris, the secretary of Brymbo Male Voice Choir near Wrexham, has said choirs are an institution "dying on its feet".

"That is ridiculous," said Treorchy's Dean Powell, who is just 31.

"There are choirs, admittedly, that are losing members and it can be difficult to sustain big choirs.

"We sympathise greatly with them but we try to attract new members by having a progressive repertoire to keep the choristers happy."

The choir has sold out Sydney Opera House in 2004

The choir, which performed on the same bill as the former chart-toppers S Club 7 last year for Cilla Black's Surprise Surprise, tries to put together an exciting tour programme.

"If you have opportunities you take them and you take the tours abroad," said Mr Powell.

"But you do want choristers to be in the choir and stay there," he said.

Treorchy, which is performing at London's Earl's Court this week, has sold out Sydney Opera House next spring.

It is the south Wales choir's their third Australian tour.

It has also toured Canada three times and the US four times.

Mixed age range

"We once opened a motorway section in California, called the Treorchy Mile, and 20,000 people turned up.

"We performed in the fast lane," he said.

Mr Powell, who joined the choir when he was 16, said audiences also have a mixed age range.

"You would be surprised when you see the audience, it's not necessarily ageing."

Mr Powell said Treorchy was the first to start singing light modern-day music, back in 1969.

But according to figures released by the Welsh Association of Male Choirs, a quarter of their choristers are over 70.

The association is putting on a festival at the Royal Albert Hall next year to try to generate publicity and attract fresh blood.

Brymbo Male Choir, near Wrexham, used to have 100 members, now it has 50.

But Treorchy has 102 members.

"Our oldest member is 82 and our youngest is 26," said Mr Powell.