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When Naomi Hedgecock auditioned for Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone Farmers' Choir, she had no idea that an opportunity to sing in a beer advert would develop into something that would change her life, giving her a new sense of belonging and whole new extended family.

Naomi's route into agriculture was unconventional. Originally from a town and with no farming family background, she was determined to follow her dream and went on to study agriculture at college before becoming a self-employed farmer at 18.

'I really love machinery'

For 12 years, she travelled between farms with her dog, living in a caravan wherever work took her. She gained experience across the industry, from combining, cultivations and spraying to working with dairy, beef and sheep.

An injury eventually forced her to change direction, but determined to remain in agriculture, she gained her HGV licence and moved into agricultural haulage.

"I really love machinery - so was really pleased to get my lorry licence. The bigger the better."

You can find out more about the members of the Hawkstone Farmers' Choir here

Her journey into the choir began when she spotted an advert on Facebook seeking people with a strong agricultural connection who could sing.

Although she had never performed professionally, she submitted an audition featuring a hymn. What followed was an opportunity to become part of a group whose shared understanding of farming has proved just as valuable as its musical ambitions.

'Reignited my passion for singing'

"I've always loved singing. I sing at home, but this has really reignited my passion for it," she says. "When it started snowballing and we began meeting more and becoming a proper choir rather than being something just jokey thing about beer, I have really, really enjoyed it."

For Naomi though, her time in the choir has not been without its personal difficulties.

"I wasn't part of the Britain's Got Talent stuff because I suffered a miscarriage on the day of the audition and the rules are that if you cannot bring anyone in at a later stage.

"I had been really up for it. But it wasn't to be. I have sort of drawn a line under it now. But having the choir stuff is exciting and you never know what is coming next and it has been good to have that to put my energy into."

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Naomi says for 40 farmers, the nationwide tour scheduled for next spring, will certainly be challenging in terms of logistics.

"Obviously we are all working in some capacity, some of us full time, so working out how we are going to rehearse as we are all spread out over the country it big task in itself."

But for Naomi, being part of such a great group of people is worth the odd shuffle to the calendar.

'I have people who understand'

"It is actually really special to be part of this choir. Everyone understands what we each are going through. My friends are great but they are not from farming, so for me now I have people who understand the demands - like I can't come out for dinner as there is no on to turn the cows out.

"When we are chatting in the choir we do not have to explain ourselves. Everyone just gets it."