Spitfire pilots painted a cross on their cockpit for every Messerschmidt shot down, and hillwalkers "bag" every Monro that they climb. Steeton Male Voice Choir members collect cathedrals, adding to their list whenever they sing in one of the massive churches.

The singers perform for the first time in Coventry Cathedral on October 8 as the highlight of a weekend in the historic city. They will be guests of the City of Coventry Male Voice Choir and share its concert platform in Bedworth Hall the previous evening day.

Steeton MVC has over the years sung in Bradford Cathedral, Ypres Cathedral, York Minster and the "enormous gothic edifice" of Cologne Cathedral. "The choir seeks to scale musical heights through performing in these uplifting settings," says a spokesman.

The choir will perform its annual concert at the King's Hall, Ilkley, on Sunday October 15, with soloist Teifryn Rees, and present a concert at Silsden Methodist Church on December 9.