Laurence Hasson (far left) proved in good voice at the national barbershop championships, where his group Park Street won the quartet category. The Hendon psychologist, 25, who started singing barbershop at university, said, "People are surprised quite how big it is in this country."

Park Street, who are trying to raise money for their first album through the website Kickstarter, will represent the UK at the international championships next year in the USA.

But his own celebrations were cut short. "At the end of the performance I jumped up and tore a cartilage." He is recovering from a knee operation.