Singing monks hit the big time

May 16 - choir of Austrian monks realise their first album with one of the world's biggest record labels.

The CD "Chant - Music for paradise" by monks from the Abbey of the Holy Cross in Heiligenkreuz, near Vienna, is about to released internationally by Universal Music. But the monks who sang on the CD say they have no plans to give interviews or go on tour. Should the CD be a success, the Abbey says it will use the proceeds to train young priests from Africa and Asia.

Joanna Partridge reports.