A MUM has received an extra present, claiming the Christmas No 1 in the music charts.

The Military Wives choir, featuring Yealmpton woman Anna Middleton, secured the coveted top of the pops spot with the single Wherever You Are.

Anna, who grew up in Ivybridge and attended Manor Primary School and Ivybridge Community College, was delighted with the accolade.

She said: 'It is utterly amazing and I am completely thrilled. Securing the number one spot was the icing on the cake to our incredible journey.

'Our goal was to raise as much money as we could for our chosen charities, so to get the Christmas number one was incredible.'

Anna spent Christmas in London at her sister's home and they celebrated the news of the top of the charts single before returning to Devon.

Her husband Toby and twin daughters Ella and Phoebe were also delighted by Anna and the choir's achievements.

Toby is a Colonel with the Royal Marines and is director of training at Royal Marines Commando base in Lympstone, Exmouth.

Ella and Phoebe are 13 and currently attend Ivybridge Community College.

The Military Wives single sold 556,000 copies in the week's run up to Christmas.

All proceeds are being donated to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

Anna was part of the group of wives and girlfriends formed on the BBC2 television show The Choir.

The Military Wives Choir was assembled and guided by choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone.

The group was based at RAF Chivenor in North Devon, and for the finale of the television series they performed at the Royal Albert Hall's Festival of Remembrance.

Anna has made some lasting friendships with many members of the choir and they now hope to carry on their recent progress by branching off in to their own group.

Anna said that they are now looking for a new choirmaster to follow Gareth's success.

Anna also said that Toby has found the role reversal slightly strange with his wife regularly jetting off to pastures new to perform with the choir.

She said: 'Military Wives are very dependent on their other halves but Toby has been very proud of my work with the choir and has been looking the after the children while I have been away.'