A different kind of choir is visiting Paris this weekend.

Inspiration is a community choir of 300 singers, comprised of two choirs which come from the northern English cities of Leeds and Newcastle.

During their tour, the choir will perform a varied programme including music from the musicals, popular music and sacred music.

Gary Griffiths, the current musical director of Inspiration, created the first Inspiration choir in Newcastle.

He used only the social networking site Facebook to organise the musical workshops: imagine his surprise when 350 people turned up at the first rehearsal.

Despite its unusual origins, the choir grew so rapidly that Gary decided to found a second choir in Leeds.

Now the choirs both perform with professional orchestras in the principal concert halls of their home cities - the Victoria Hall at Leeds Town Hall and The Sage Gateshead in Newcastle.

However, Inspiration has not lost sight of its original aim to inspire amateur singers from all walks of life to give joyful and uplifting performances together.

The main concert of the tour will be at the church of St. Eustache on Saturday 28th August at 20.30.

Entry is free and does not require reservation; however, there will be a retiring collection to support the Association Robert Debré.

The Association Robert Debré, created at the opening of the Robert Debré Hospital in Paris, aims to promote medical research, to improve the hospital’s ability to welcome children and to participate in the organisation of educational and fun activities (workshops, days out, etc.) to allow children and adolescents to escape the often painful reality of time in hospital.

The choir will also perform at Disneyland Paris on Sunday 29th August at 10.30 and 11.15, as well as on a boat cruise on the Seine on Monday 30th August.