CHAMBER choir Cantores Salicium will give a concert to raise funds for the Cave Rescue Organisation on Saturday.

The charity - based in Clapham - is dependent on fundraising activities and donations to fund its lifesaving work on the fells and in the area's caves.

Musical director Lindy Williams said: "I had already decided on a concert with the theme of Light and Darkness when we were asked if the concert could be in aid of CRO. Putting on a concert with such a theme seems apt for an organisation whose activities involve working both underground and out in the hills.

“The choir is delighted to be supporting this local group. I hardly need to elaborate on the dedication of CRO volunteers and their importance in the community. They each need regular training, giving up hours of their own time.

"With regularity, we hear of how they have saved a life or helped someone who is injured, often in dire conditions, these events being not only in caves but out on the hills as well. You have only to look at CRO’s website to see the range of first aid and other skills that the dedicated team has to develop in order to be prepared for a wide range of incidents."

Cantores Salicium was founded in 2007 as an informal group with the intention simply to sing for fun. The group has grown both in number – currently 22 singers - and musically, now putting on at least two concerts a year, providing music for special church services and singing at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Settle Parish Church each Christmas.

The CRO concert will be staged in Giggleswick School Chapel where the choir will be joined by Jason Lowe, the school’s organist.

With music ranging from the 16th to the 21st centuries, the first half of the concert begins with the opening chorus of Haydn’s oratorio ‘The Creation’, depicting the beginning of light out of darkness. This will be followed by works such as Out of the Deep, Eternal Light and poems on the same theme.

The second half begins in a cave with Purcell’s In Our Deep-Vaulted Cell and includes other well-known favourites, such as Dido’s Lament, Handel’s Largo and Dvorak’s Song to the Moon. The evening will end with a light-hearted medley which has been specially arranged by Hugh Stalker, the choir’s honorary organist.

Lindy said: "The programme represents an eclectic mixture of music with, we hope, something for everyone to enjoy."

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets costing £10 are available from Cave and Crag, Settle, choir members or at the door.