A SINGER who was forced to change from a tenor to a baritone after losing his voice for six months, has won no fewer than nine trophies.

Paul Nesbitt produced the incredible feat at the recent Camborne Music Festival, despite having once feared that he may never sing again.

"I lost my voice for six months due to a virus and when it came back, there were one or two notes that I lost, so I became a baritone," said the 68 year-old.

Paul, who lives in Stithians but lived in Falmouth for many years after growing up in Mabe, was thrilled with his haul.

"I have done better though - I won 13 trophies at Indian Queens Music Festival. I do a lot of singing for homes and I can do 14 to 15 solos in an hour.

"I was told not to enter so many categories at Camborne because my voice would get tired, but I knew I'd be singing all evening so I thought I'd enter them anyway."

Part of the Treverva Quartet for 25 years until it disbanded in 1992, Paul has been part of Treverva Male Voice Choir for 42 years. He is also a member of the Helston Flora Quartet.

All his trophies at Camborne were as a soloist, with eight trophies for a variety of songs and styles and the ninth award for Best Overall Male, after missing out on the Best Overall Soloist prize to soprano Jess Chantler.

Paul began singing from the age of six, after being encouraged by his mum and grandmother.

"I found that after work, singing got rid of the pressures from the day and I could relax into the song," said the retired painter and decorator.