Pupils on song in bid to break record (VIDEO)

A YOUNG choir with loud voices took part in a national attempt to break the world record for the biggest simultaneous sing-along.

Hundreds of pupils from Maryhill High School, in Kidsgrove, joined other pupils in schools across the country to sing Des'ree's hit, You Gotta Be, at 2.45pm yesterday.

Thanks to a live link with 8,000 children in the 02 Arena in London, they were all singing at exactly the same time. The challenge was titled the Big Sing and everyone was aiming to beat the previous Guinness world record set by the same event in 2005, when more than half a million children took part.

Singer Des'ree led the giant choir as she performed on stage and all the youngsters taking park were able to hear her via the audio link.

In Kidsgrove, 378 pupils from both the high school and the neighbouring primary schooltook part.

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Jo Watton, head of music at the school said: "We heard about the Big Sing at the beginning of October.

"I've been rehearsing with all the youngsters in class once a week since then in preparation for it. Many children do not have the opportunity to sing live in a big group like this.

"The last time we took part in The Big Sing in 2005, we had everyone outside the school singing.

"This time we had to hold it in the hall but it was just as good.

"The national charities are Marie Curie Cancer Care and CLIC Sargent but we decided to put our money towards a local charity and it will all go to the Kidsgrove fire service. We've raised more than £200.

"The firemen were here for the singing and they even joined in with the youngsters."

The pupils will get official confirmation about the record in the New Year, when it has been checked by the Guinness Book of Records.

Some of those taking part from Maryhill High School were singing in a choir for the first time.

Michael Salmon, aged 12 said: "I thought the singing was great. I haven't done much singing before but I thought is was fun and I would think about giving it a go again."

Kieran Holford, aged 13, said: "We have been doing a lot of rehearsal in school for this big day.

"It was a great experience and it sounded really loud. It was so loud I couldn't hear myself singing."

Emily Brayford, aged 12, said: "I play guitar and I like singing. Taking part in something so big is great fun and we've also managed to raise some money for the firemen."