BRADFORD Catholic Girls' Choir bagged an "incredible" bronze medal double at the World Choir Games.

Billed as the 'Olympics for Choirs', the group sang their hearts out at the prestigious global competition held in Riga, Latvia in the Champions Category at the event.

Bradford Catholic Girls' Choir was one of only three UK choirs taking part, with 460 choirs from 73 countries and more than 27,000 singers taking to the stage including representatives from the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

They competed for a gold, silver or bronze prize against 11 other choirs in their block in the Champions Category at St Peter's Church. They also performed on the stage of the Great Hall of Riga, Stradins University against seven other choirs, from the likes of Canada and Latvia, in their block.

Their bronze medals came in both the 'Sacred Music with accompaniment' and 'Youth choirs of equal voices'.

During the trip, the group also got some time to do some sightseeing. They took in a tour of Riga's open air Museum of Ethnography, where the choir sang in a 17th century traditional wooden church.

They sang to other passengers during a boat trip on the River Daugava.

They also took part in workshops with the Latvian State Choir and composer Eriks Esenvalds, gospel musician Andre Thomas and Canadian vocal expert Zimfira Poloz.

One of group's rehearsals in Riga was recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3's 'Music Matters' programme.

Tom Leech, director of the Bradford Catholic Girls' Choir who was their conductor in Riga, said: "It was fantastic. It was an incredible trip.

"We are so proud of the girls' achievements. They've worked incredibly hard and the tour was the icing on the cake of a very busy year, including four BBC broadcasts.

"To see them singing alongside some of the best choirs in the world was really moving and we hope they've taken bags of inspiration and confidence from this experience.

“For us to come back with anything was out of this world."

The tour was financially supported by Bradford Council, Leeds Trinity University, The Emerald Foundation, The Fattorini Trust and The Knights of St Columba.

The Bradford Catholic Girls' Choir, which rehearses weekly at St Joseph's Catholic College, Cunliffe Road, Bradford, is part of the Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme, the largest choral programme in the country which works with about 2,500 children each week.

It was formed in 2006 and has 35 members of girls aged between 11 and 18 from Keighley and Bradford schools.