They are perhaps the last people you would expect to find indulging in a pastime where lung power is an essential element.

But that has not stopped a group of breathing difficulty sufferers in Brighton and Hove from forming Britain's first asthmatic choir.

The Breathe Easy Chorus staged its first public performance this month and has plans under way for a Christmas show.

The choir has grown out of a therapy group which meets each week at St George's Church in St George's Road, Brighton.

The members have been congregating for classes where they sing along together to songs including showtunes and Elvis Presley classics like Always On My Mind.

The pioneering group was set up by singing therapist Udita Everett and health worker Carolyn Syverson after they discovered singing could help people with asthma and other breathing difficulties.

Among the choir are asthma sufferers of all ages and backgrounds.

Former coal miner Sid Short has suffered breathing problems for much of his life after developing emphysema while working in pits in the North East.

Mr Short, from Peacehaven, said: "I've been coming for about a year and it has really helped me. I find singing surprisingly beneficial.

"I find breathing easier, which makes a lot of difference in the rest of my life." He said the first choir performance at Brighton's Churchill Square shopping centre had been a great success.

Mr Short said: "We had plenty of people stop and watch us and they were all very appreciative.

It was really good fun."

Fellow member Monica Meneghello, an NHS tutor, has a chronic breathing problem.

She said: "Coming here has really helped me. I feel better since I have been doing this - I have definitely started to see the results."

At each session at St George's Church, Mrs Everett leads the group through a series of warmup exercises for both their voices and bodies.

She pays particular attention to the choir's posture, which she said is important to make sure the muscles work in the right way.

She said: "It is quite amazing how many people don't breathe properly and breathe in a very shallow way.

"By singing and doing the exercises, they learn to use the whole lung function and can improve their breathing technique and posture."

The charity Asthma UK said increasing numbers of sufferers were taking up singing or playing wind instruments to help to control and improve their breathing.

An Asthma UK spokeswoman said: "This is the first time we've ever heard about anyone setting up a choir anywhere, though.

"It's a great idea - it would be lovely to see others follow it."

The Breathe Easy Chorus is looking for new members.

It is open to anyone with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smokers or anyone else with breathing difficulties.

The sessions are held in the church crypt every Monday from 1.15pm to 2.45pm.

They are sponsored by the Brighton and Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust.

For more information call Mrs Everett on 01273 628701.