PIRATES of all ages enjoyed a singalong workshop which raised funds for a cancer charity.

The musical talents at Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) invited anyone and everyone to join them for a day to rehearse Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, before putting on a singalong production in the evening.

Over 80 people – some dressed as pirates – turned up at Basingstoke’s United Reformed Church, in London Street, to get into the pirate spirit and helped to raise £560, which will be split between the society and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Carlie Cohen, vice-chairman and publicity manager for BAOS, said: “It was really good fun. We had a cast but everyone could join in with the lines and the singing – it was a free-for-all.

“Lots more people dressed up in the evening and it was lovely to look out and see a complete mixture of people from all generations dressed up and joining in, waving pirate flags.

“Our musical director Anne Bell would hold up a sign with “yarrr” written on it for everyone to shout out.”

As well as raising money, the event helped BAOS to raise its profile.

Mrs Cohen said: “Next year we are starting on Calamity Jane so it was a nice opportunity for people who have thought of joining to come along and meet us.”

Calamity Jane is being performed at The Haymarket from March 15-19.

Auditions take place on October 10 at Kempshott Methodist Church, in Kempshott Lane, and a pre-audition rehearsal is being held on October 7 at St Peter’s Hall, South Ham, at 7.30pm.