Pensioners sign up young singer, 62

The world's oldest boy band – the Chelsea Pensioners, with a combined age of 550 years – have picked the person they want to sing with them and join the race for the Christmas number one.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Nov 2010, 08:31 BST

Updated 26th Nov 2010, 08:31 BST

Brenda Sokell, a 62-year-old former publishing rep from Northumberland, has been named as their "Singing Pensioner".

They will now go straight into the studio to record White Christmas, taking on The X Factor in the race to top the charts.

The competition has been running on ITV1's The Alan Titchmarsh Show, which culminated in viewers choosing Ms Sokell for the job.

"We wanted to give the opportunity to an older person to live their dream.

"It can be difficult being our generation in the UK," said Chelsea Pensioner Michael Allen.

Ms Sokell said: "It's an amazing feeling. There's so much goodwill for the Chelsea Pensioners that Christmas number one is a real possibility.

"This is like a new beginning for me."

The seven-strong Chelsea Pensioners aim to raise money for the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, where they live.

Chelsea Northumberland