A popular choir's fundraising campaign to replace 'worn out, outgrown staging' has received a boost.

The 'Pakefield Singers in Tiers' campaign is raising funds to replace the group's staging equipment – a set of specially constructed, tiered performance risers – and a charity art exhibition is set to aid the amateur choir.

A Pakefield Singers spokesman said: 'To boost the fund one of our singers, June Nice, has very generously donated a series of drawings and paintings by her late husband, John Nice RSMA, which are being exhibited at the Ferini Gallery on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, between 11am and 4pm, from March 9 to March 25.'

Mrs Nice, who is 87, is a founding member of Pakefield Singers and continues to sing with the choir.

As well as gaining a lot of enjoyment through singing she credits Pakefield Singers with helping her during very difficult times following her husband's death.

She said: 'Pakefield Singers means so much to me and got me through some very dark days when John died. I am delighted that I can give something back to the choir by donating these pictures.'

Mr Nice was a member of the prestigious Royal Society of Marine Artists, and was highly regarded for his detailed pictures of seafaring vessels of all descriptions.

He was frequently commissioned to paint particular ships, including the Royal Yacht Britannia which the Admiralty presented to HRH Queen Elizabeth.

Mrs Nice travelled widely with her husband during his time in the Royal Navy and then the Royal Air Force and was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2002 for her outstanding services to the RAF Association.

With a lifelong love of the sea it was no surprise that they retired to Lowestoft where John continued painting and drawing at every opportunity.

The pictures in this exhibition include watercolours and many of his detailed drawings and pen and ink sketches of all things marine.

The group spokesman added: 'June and Pakefield Singers are extremely grateful to the Ferini Gallery in Pakefield for organising this charity exhibition, which follows the kickstart the gallery gave to our fundraising by making the choir beneficiaries of the highly successful Pakefield Postcard Auction last summer.'