A LOCAL charity is promoting perfect harmony by using singing to combat loneliness and isolation.

Clydeside Singers, a non-competitive choir for those aged 50 and over, started in 2010 with just three members.

They now have a membership of more than 65 people - and counting.

They meet on Tuesday afternoons from 12.30pm until 2.30pm in the Little Sisters of the Poor on Greenock's Union Street and enjoy some songs, tea and coffee and a catch up.

Mary Greig, who runs the group, said: “Clydeside Singers is all about singing for fun.

“Singing makes such a huge difference to people’s lives.

"It’s well documented that singing can have the same effects as exercise, like the release of endorphins, which give the singer an overall 'lifted' feeling and are associated with stress reduction.

“It's also an aerobic activity, meaning it gets more oxygen into the blood for better circulation, which tends to promote a good mood.

“We love to sing and have folks wherever we are join in.

"The impact our singers have made is huge.”

The group have become a big part of the wider community in recent years, performing in places such as hospitals, care homes, sheltered accommodation complexes and at community events.

Mary added: “The group love singing and making a huge difference in our community.

"Our singers are like an extended family.”

For more information about the group visit http://greigarious-cas.com