SHOPPERS were stopped in their tracks when a flash mob leapt into action at the Brunel Centre yesterday.

It was the third time the shopping centre has asked New College to send its BTEC Level 3 performing arts students to do a Christmas flash mob to cheer up shoppers struggling through the crowds in the festive season.

The group of talented youngsters delivered three five-minute performances to a medley of Christmas carols and songs, much to the delight of people visiting the centre.

Nicola Brown, the performing arts course leader at New College, said people had enjoyed the performances, designed to ease the stress of the Christmas shop.

“The Brunel Centre first asked us to come and do a flash mob three years ago and we’ve been coming every year since then,” she said.

“It was a mash-up of Christmas songs. It started with a traditional Christmas carol and then that got gate crashed by a couple of other performers.

“It’s just a way of cheering up shoppers at what is a very, very busy time of year, with everyone becoming stressed and rushing around the shop.

“Everybody stopped when they started performing and they smiled and looked pleased about it and the performers got applause at the end as well.

“I’m very pleased it’s gone so well and very proud of them. It’s a great opportunity for them to practice performing in public too.

“All of them are interested in developing professional careers in the performing arts.

“This was part of an assessed piece of work they have been working on.

“Now they’ll be moving on to other work for the course.”