A gay chorus tackling mental health issues has seen off over a thousand competitors to reach the finals of a national competition.

Ham & High: The group is now seeking votes from members of the public to help them secure a cash prize of �5,000. Picture: Mike KearThe group is now seeking votes from members of the public to help them secure a cash prize of �5,000. Picture: Mike Kear (Image: Archant)

Hampstead based Shame Chorus, a music and spoken word project created by artist Jordan McKenzie with help from the Freud Museum, psychoanalyst Susie Orbach and the London Gay Men’s Chorus, is in the finals of the National Lottery Awards.

Now competing against six others in the Best Arts Project category, Shame Chorus has reached the public voting stage of a search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The winner receives a £5,000 prize and will attend an awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One.

Mr Mckenzie said: “Shame Chorus has allowed our community to talk about issues such as isolation, mental health and suicide, in an open way. It would be a brilliant to go on and win.”

Go to lotterygoodcauses or call 0844 836 9674 to cast your vote.