A GROUP of shanty singers with a fast-growing reputation will be returning to a West Somerset village for two nights next month – back by popular demand.

The Lynmouth Shanty Crew performed in Porlock earlier in the year and their gig sold out within a week, meaning they had to add a second night to cope with demand.

Now, the choir is planning on returning to Porlock Village Hall on November 17 and 18 for another charity concert – and again, the Saturday show has already sold out.

The group is so popular that they have had to post a social media warning to fans not to buy tickets from anybody claiming they no longer need them.

They said it was a scam, and anybody who contacted the singers would be given a list of authorised retailers.

All funds raised from their performances will be split between the Lynmouth Boathouse fund and Epic Gigability, a Falmouth-based Pilot Gig Rowing Club for military veterans and their families.

The club is open to all veterans regardless of physical or mental disability and helps them toward a healthier, fitter, lifestyle and improved wellbeing.

Epic Gigability relies heavily on donations and sponsorship in order to provide opportunities to ex-Services personnel and their dependents.

The Lynmouth Shanty Crew came together at the end of the Covid lockdowns based on a shared love of shanties and all things maritime.

Many of the crew are also members of the local sailing club and take part in other maritime activities, including sailing, sculling, gig rowing, power boating, surfing, fishing, and sea swimming.

The choir is a community initiative led by Tony and Meg Piper, former members of the AnCor Shanty Group, and has more than 20 members including singers, musicians, and a women’s section.

The crew performs regularly at the Ancient Mariner, and other venues around Lynton and Lynmouth with the aim of raising funds for the building of a new boathouse, which will house the town’s safety boat, Gilbey.

With the nearest RNLI lifeboat stationed in Ilfracombe, the community wants to have its own safety boat for the welfare of people involved in maritime pursuits in Lynmouth bay.

The boathouse will be built close to the harbour slip to ensure Gilbey can be swiftly launched when needed.

The crew’s previous Porlock show saw them raise £3,000, which was shared by the boathouse fund and the Porlock Weir Gig Rowing Club.