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the organisation, and gave notice that the authorisation for the choir to use "Derbyshire Constabulary" in its name had been revoked.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"

Chief constable Peter Goodman says he can "no longer support" the organisation credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM Media

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, and that the choir felt "unable to accept" Chief Con Goodman’s suggestion.

One choir member said: "For 62 years this choir has done nothing but good work for the force and charities, but now we are being told the police don't want to be associated with us... it's hard after all these years being told you're no longer wanted. We've never hidden the fact we're a male voice choir, it's just a nonsense."

Chairman Mr Griffiths said: "We fully understand the rationale behind Mr Goodman's decision.

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

"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.

The choir are now looking for a new venue to practice their singing credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM Media

"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, but there is a lot of outrage at the force's decision.

"Members were heartbroken and devastated. Some members feel we have been the victims of political correctness," added Mr Griffiths.

Since its formation in 1956, it has raised in the region of £750,000 for local good causes.

Chief Con Goodman said: "We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to having an organisation where there are no enclaves where people from different backgrounds cannot go.

"We need to represent our communities in every aspect of our public presence. Having a male voice choir representing the organisation is incompatible with this, especially as there are no members of the choir who are employed by or who volunteer with us. I wish them all the very best for the future."