Bob Chilcott, one of the UK's most popular and prolific composers is set to write a special anthem for choir and organ, as part of the 2007 celebrations to mark the rededication of St Bride's in 1957.

He will be working on the composition in the coming months at his Oxfordshire home and the anthem, which he will probably title Beauty for Ashes, should be completed by the summer.

He attended a carol service in St Bride's a few days before Christmas and was impressed with the beauty of the church, and the music.

Bob, who was a chorister at King's College, Cambridge, went on to join the world-famous King's Singers in 1986. As a tenor, he stayed with the group for 11 years.

Today, he is in great demand as a composer and conductor. One of his recent compositions, an organ concerto Organ Dances has been widely and critically acclaimed in the United States.

St Bride's Director of Music Robert Jones says that both he and the choir look forward to performing the new anthem.