Derbyshire Constabulary Male Choir has raised thousands for charity since 1956

But Chief Constable now is cutting ties from group to support gender equality

Choir attracted controversy when it claimed it couldn't accept female singers

A police force has severed all ties with its own male voice choir because it doesn't promote gender equality.

Since 1956 The Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir has performed at events across the country raising hundreds of thousands for charity.

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But they have found they are no longer singing from the same hymn sheet as the force's Chief Constable Peter Goodman says he can no 'no longer support' the organisation

Since 1956 The Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir (pictured) has performed at events across the country raising hundreds of thousands for charity

Now they have been asked to cut ties from Derbyshire Police as part of a drive to promote gender equality within the force.

The choir faced upheaval trying to recruit around 50 female singers and claimed they could not afford to expand just to meet quotas.

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From June onwards the choir, which is made up of civilians, will change its name to the Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir.

Choir chairman Kevin Griffiths said the change of name has resulted from the constabulary's drive to promote gender equality in all aspects of its operations.

Chief Constable Peter Goodman says he can no 'no longer support' the organisation because it is made up of older white men like himself

The Chief Constable invited the group, which is linked to the force as members have worn police tunics for performances in the past, to become a 'mixed voices' choir.

But Mr Griffiths said the choir felt 'unable to accept' his suggestion.

As a result, the Chief Constable gave notice that the authorisation for the choir to use 'Derbyshire Constabulary' in its name had been revoked.

The choir have also been requested to take steps to disassociate themselves from Derbyshire Police.

'We fully understand the rationale behind Mr Goodman's decision,' said Mr Griffiths.

'However, after considering the logistics and difficulties of undertaking such a transformation we felt unable to accept his invitation.

The choir has met every Monday evening from early September to late May at St Mary's Wharf Police Station in Derby. Now they will need to find a new rehearsal venue

'We are very good at what we do, and to undertake such a change would have required the recruitment of up to 50 new female members with a host of associated costs.

'We felt that to attempt such a change would have destroyed the choir and felt it was better to sever our association with the constabulary and continue the good work we do under a new name.'

Mr Griffiths said the choir would acquire new clothing and seek to create a 'more contemporary' image for their forthcoming concert season.

The choir has met every Monday evening from early September to late May at St Mary's Wharf Police Station in Derby. Now they will need to find a new rehearsal venue.

'The choir are seeking to attract a number of new members and believe that their association with the constabulary may have prevented potential members from joining in the past,' said Mr Griffiths.

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'We have worn a police tunic for performances in the past, originally worn by police officers in the 1960 and 1980s.

'This leads some people to believe that we are all serving police officers. It couldn't be further from the truth as the choir are now entirely civilian.

'We see this as a great opportunity to develop the choir even further over the next few years,' he said.

'We are a very active and successful choir which raises thousands of pounds for charity each year.

Since our formation in 1956 we estimate we have raised in the region of £750,000 for local good causes.

'The choir has not received any direct financial support from the force for many years. The only major change for us is a move to a new rehearsal room which we are currently undertaking.'