Local music lovers have a wealth of internationally acclaimed talent on their doorstep but are not taking full advantage of it according to a Reigate opera singer.

Glasgow born soprano Sarah-Jane Dale has lived in Reigate for nine years and says there are a wide range of professional musicians in the area.

The Doodes Road resident was trained at London's Guildhall, has sung at Covent Garden and has represented Britain in international music festivals.

But she said she is just as keen to boost the local music scene: "I don't know what it is that drives me on to do it locally as it's hard wok doing your own publicity and posters."

Ms Dale said her experience of singing in Russia influenced her as she was surprised to see such consistently large audiences aged from two to 90 years old:

"They were all so absorbed in the opera as it's part of daily life," she explained.

"There are opera companies in every town and they trust what's going to be on stage is good.

"It could be the same here as there is lots of great music going on in Reigate with all the choral and operatic societies."

She regularly performs with a harpist, Luisa-Maria Ovett, also of Reigate, at local fundraising events.

They performed at the Redhill and Reigate carnival last summer and often work with the Reigate rotary club, as well as doing concerts throughout the year in Reigate, Redhill and Merstham.

Ms Dale said she hoped awareness of the high quality of local concerts was rising: "There are over 120 people on our mailing list now and we get more all the time.

"I helped organise a free recital series for Reigate summer music festival last year.

"On the Monday we had an audience of 11 and by the end of the week there were more than 80 because word had spread."

The duo also run education workshops for children and after visiting Holmesdale primary school many of the pupils said they wanted to be opera singers.

Ms Dale said: "People think opera is all wobbly voices and that you can't understand what they are singing about.

"But I passionately believe people will enjoy it if they go."

The duo will be performing well-known opera, folk songs and songs from the shows at Gatton Park, Rocky Lane, Reigate, on Sunday, April 13, at 3pm.

Tickets are £9.50 including tea and cake and gardens are open before and after the concert. Proceeds go to the restoration of the gardens at Gatton Park. Call Pat Pay on 01737 649068 for more information.