A choir which travels the world raising awareness of the plight of African orphans and which has performed for Nelson Mandela, a US President at the Whitehouse and for stars like U2’s Bono is heading to a village in Hampshire.

The African Children’s Choir, which is made up of youngsters aged between 9 and 11, each of whom has lost one or both parents to poverty, war or AIDS, will be performing at St John’s Church in West Meon at 7.30pm on Friday November 26th.

The choir’s visit has been arranged by Chloe Bell, Director of Boppin Dance School, and West Meon vicar Reverend Caroline Sackley and youngsters will get the chance to experience village life by staying with host families.

“We are all really excited to have the African Children’s Choir coming here,” says Chloe. "Boppin helps to support the choir and recently staged a West End show at Her Majesty's Theatre to raise money for them.

“The young singers travel the world acting ambassadors for Africa’s neediest and most vulnerable children and raising money for education projects back home and they have performed for a whole range of famous people.

“They will be heard on Annie Lennox’s new Christmas album so we are totally delighted that they will be coming and performing in West Meon and in addition to their concert we’ve got a packed itinerary for them while they are here.

“They’ll meet local children from the village school and will have the chance to be taught a dance by Boppin students and then teach the Boppin students to sing. They will also be visiting Old Winchester Hill to learn about our local history.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to share our beautiful villages and local life with a wonderful group of children, who do not have access to such experiences at home in Africa.”

Tickets, which cost £8 for adults and £5 for children, are available from the West Meon village shop, from www.kabodler.com/k/acc or by telephoning 07792 387022.