A Cornish shanty group has been asked to perform at Catherine, Princess of Wales’ annual Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey.

Catherine has invited Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac to sing a sea shanty in the Together at Christmas service in Westminster Abbey on Friday.

Jon Cleave from the group said they had been asked to sing “a specific song”, which he thought they would “make a good fist” of.

He said receiving the royal invitation had been “the icing on the cake for us all, absolutely terrific, we feel very honoured and very excited”.

Mr Cleave said since the group had received the request by phone last week they had been practising the shanty in readiness, but he could not disclose which song it was.

The theme of the service is the “power of love and togetherness” and it is to be led by Catherine, who wants to recognise people across the country who contribute to society.

The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales said a total of 1,600 people are set to fill Westminster Abbey for the service.

The foundation said each of them had dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, fronted initiatives which had brought people in their community together or who had shown kindness and empathy to those around them.