Ex-chorister back at St Laurence's Church to film videos

Ludlow's historic St Laurence's Church has become the dramatic setting for two new music videos being produced by a performer who grew up singing in the church's choir every Sunday.

Cameras and lighting were erected at the church, which is more than 800 years old, yesterday for the video's featuring singer Katherine Mount. A crew from Appletree Theatre and Film Company kept the camera rolling.

They filmed Ms Mount, who spent her childhood in Ludlow but now lives in London, as she sang Ave Maria and I Vow to Thee, My Country.

Ms Mount, 38, was lead chorister as a teenager at St Laurence's and had her wedding vows blessed at the 'Cathedral of the Marches' in 2009.

She said the church was so special it became the natural choice when selecting a backdrop for the two videos.

"I lived in Ludlow until I was 19 and moved down to London," she said.

"I was lead chorister at St Laurence's as a teenager and even through my rebellious years donned a cassock every Sunday at 9.30am and often sang at weddings and funerals in the church.

"My husband is also from Ludlow and we met at school. In 2009 we got married at a register office and had our vows blessed in the church so this building is very special to me.

"The two songs I'm shooting in the church are Ave Maria and I Vow to Thee, My Country. They are both songs off the album which I've called A Shropshire Woman and it will be church music mostly such as hymns and anthems. The videos will be uploaded onto You Tube and used as part of a viral marketing campaign."

Appletree technical director Carl Walker said it was nice to have a singer filming somewhere close to her heart.

He said: "Part of our business is pure film production like this. We met Katherine through a mutual contact and both films will be shot in the church.

"She wanted to have a church backdrop for the video to reflect the majesty of the songs. We think it's fitting to film in St Laurence's with Katherine's history with the church. We are three years old now as a company and have done a few music videos, although this is the first time in a church, it's a good job it's not AC/DC."