Military Wives, the choral phenomenon tipped to top the Christmas music charts this year, is heading for Dartmouth.

The 50-strong choir, which sang on Remembrance Day at the Royal Albert Hall and has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, will be performing at Royal Avenue Gardens bandstand as part of the Dart Music Festival.

The choir, made up of service personnel wives, is all set to give the X Factor winners Little Mix a run for their money in the race for the Christmas No 1 slot.

The choir telephoned to ask if it could have a spot at this year's three-day festival, which is due to go ahead on May 11, 12 and 13.

Festival chairman Pam Braakenburg said the choir's appearance in Dartmouth was a major 'coup' for the festival, which is now probably the best known event of its kind in the South West.

'We are thrilled that the Military Wives are coming to the festival. Dartmouth has an intimate association with the Royal Navy and we are immensely proud to be honouring our troops abroad by welcoming this inspirational choir,' she said

'Since they contacted us, they have really taken off,' she added. 'Now they are saying that their record could be the Christmas number one.

'They will be appearing on the bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens. The concerts are free. We make a collection during the performances and we will be making a donation to them.'

The Military Wives choir featured in Gareth Malone's BBC2 series The Choir.

The Wives' song Wherever You Are was debuted at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance on November 12.

It was composed for the choir by Paul Mealor who created it from letters sent to and from the choir members' husbands serving in Afghanistan.

In less than 24 hours, a Facebook page called Military Wives Choir for Christmas No 1 had attracted almost 1,000 members.

The choir is donating the proceeds from the single to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

The choir will be among more than 100 performers taking part in next year's festival, which will involve music of all kinds at venues stretching from one end of the town to the other.

Pam said: 'I don't think we realise just how well known the Dart Music Festival is becoming. It is probably the best-known music festival in the South West now.'