For more than 60 years, the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir has proudly represented the force at events all across the country raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Meeting every Monday evening at St Mary's Wharf Police Station in Derby, it’s fair to say their association with Derbyshire Constabulary has had everyone singing from the same hymn sheet.

But now it’s members, made up of civilians but linked to the force because its singers wear police tunics in live performances, claim they are “no longer wanted”.

Because of their refusal to accept female members - a request in a gender equality drive by the force - they are now left looking for a new venue to practice their singing.

It has emerged the force's Chief Constable Peter Goodman says he can "no longer support" the organisation, and gave notice that the authorisation for the choir to use "Derbyshire Constabulary" in its name had been revoked. It has left many its members "heartbroken" and believing they are the victims of "political correctness".

From June the choir will change its name to the Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir, in a move that members have slammed as "bloody nonsense"