Cornwall Junior Choir has celebrated its sixth birthday with a debut performance at The Eden Project - and the cutting of a commemorative cake after the big event.

The cake was made by the Buscombe family of St Newlyn East, who run the Trescowthick Craft Bakery and have four children in the choir - Theresa and Josephine, who were founder members, and Mary and John.

The Eden performance was the latest example of the choir's policy of getting around the county, and beyond, as much as possible.

As well as regular performances at Truro Cathedral, the young singers have also sung at such locations as Carnglaze Caverns, Tate St Ives and Exeter Cathedral.

They gave a Christmas concert to a packed Kenwyn Church and in June will be singing as part of a Christian Aid event in Helston Methodist Church. They have also accepted an invitation to sing at Gloucester Cathedral next year.

The choir currently has 50 singers and Christopher Gray, choir conductor and assistant director of music at the Cathedral, is anxious to attract new members - ideally aged seven to ten, but children up to 13 and over are also welcome.

"We have achieved a great deal in our first six years," said Mr Gray. "Many close friendships have been made and we have performed a huge variety of music from 'songs from the shows' to classical, spirituals and jazz.

"The children are united in their love of singing and it's great to be able to give them the opportunity to perform to audiences all over the county."

When Cornwall Junior Choir was formed in 2001, it was the first of its kind in the country and it has since been emulated in a number of other counties.

It is free to join, with no auditions, and rehearsals are held at the Cathedral every Saturday in school term time, from 10 am to 11.30 am.

It was made possible by a special funding arrangement involving the Cathedral, Cornwall Music Service and the Department for Education and Skills. It sings a wide variety of music, from traditional carols and hymns to songs from the great shows. Members also enjoy social events.

"It is difficult to overstate the benefits of singing in a choir," said Mr Gray. "It instills a great discipline which is very beneficial in other aspects of life; there is a great sense of teamwork and pride and the singing itself affords great joy of self-expression."