The musical director of Suffolk Constabulary’s male voice choir is retiring after 46 years of service.

Colin Edgar BEM, from Stowmarket, will be surrendering his baton following his last concert at St Mary’s Church in Stoke-by-Nayland, that starts at 7.30pm tomorrow.

The choir performs at least one concert each month and every event raises funds for a good cause - either to support communities, charities or churches. At Christmas the choir play a key role in the annual constabulary service and they also undertake carol singing in the community.

All members of the choir are volunteers and Mr Edgar’s labours, direction and enthusiasm have been instrumental in ensuring the continued strength of the group.

He runs weekly practice sessions and selects, re-writes and scores the music and provides “wonderful” monologues to deliver the material at concerts.

Mr Edgar has only missed three of the choirs concerts in the 46 years.

The choir secretary, Stephen Wade, who has been with the choir for 23 years, said: “Throughout my time with the group Colin has been an inspiration and had made singing with the constabulary choir a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

Mr Edgar’s long-service will also be celebrated at an evening at Suffolk police headquarters on Tuesday night.

The choir is always seeking to recruit new members and anyone interested can get information from: www.suffolkconstabularymalevoicechoir.co.uk and contact Stephen Wade for more details if required.