More than 300 sign up for Northampton choir's own Last Night at the Proms after BBC controversy

More than 300 people have signed up to take part in a Northamptonshire choir's own virtual Last Night of the Proms following the controversy over the BBC's event.

BBC Proms insists instrumental versions of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule, Britannia! will be played at the offical Last Night of the Proms due to coronavirus.

But others claim it is due to the song's associations with colonialism and slavery which are deemed unacceptable in the wake of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Northampton Male Voice Choir decided to host its own online sing-along with all of the classics live over Zoom on September 12, with sign-ups surpassing 200 within 24 hours.

Musical director Stephen Bell said: "If we allow ourselves to be sidetracked into debates about words and politics we’ll get absolutely nowhere.

"I completely understand the concerns that some have expressed recently but the answer to these huge questions is not to ban singing these great songs.

"Don’t listen to them if you take offence but don’t stop others enjoying the singing, especially at the moment."

The Northampton choir's actual Last Night of the Proms with the championship GUS brass band scheduled at the end of September has been cancelled by Covid-19.

Stephen, who has conducted more than 30 Proms concerts over the years, was bowled over by the popularity of their virtual event, with the current total of 336 members.

"Quite simply I have one aim, which is to have a lot of fun singing these much loved songs, these beautiful melodies and to show everybody that it’s such great fun to sing together and to enjoy what has been a tradition for many people in their lives for many many years," he said.

Stephen plans to rehearse on the day so that everyone is familiar with the technology and can enjoy the evening.

For more information or to register your interest in taking part, join the Facebook group here.