CHILDREN from a Swindon school choir sang to thousands at The O2 in London last night, and their parents were in place for the proud moment.

Thirty-nine 10-year-olds from St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School were taken to the capital early yesterday morning for a day of rehearsals ahead of their performance.

The pupils formed a small fraction of the several thousand youngsters packed into the famous venue as part of Young Voices, which is described as the world’s largest children’s choir.

Schools from across the nation can apply to be part of the event, and once they are accepted, they are sent the relevant music, which classes then learn in the months leading up to the show.

Executive headteacher Clare-Marie Burchall packed the pupils and parents off in two coaches to share the experience, which is all part of a wider aim to make St Catherine’s a singing school.

“We wanted to give this experience of singing in a big area to the children,” she said.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these pupils.

“There had been so much excitement for this for so many weeks and it was great the parents were able to go and watch as well.

“This raises the profile of the choir and we are doing the Sing Up award for the school too, and this will help towards that.

“This also raises the profile of the school as a singing school.”

The children selected to go along have all come from the Davenwood-based school’s Assisi class.

Ahead of the trip, music leader Rebecca Jackson said: “I am so proud of the class. They have worked incredibly hard to learn a set of songs, in parts, with some complicated lyrics and they are going to have the experience of a lifetime. We all can’t wait.”

Emma, 10, said: “I’m excited to perform on the same stage as so many famous pop stars.”

A spokesman for Young Voices said: “Young Voices is designed to unify children from across the region, boost their confidence and provide lifelong memories for them and their families.

“Teachers and pupils practise the dance routines and learn the songs in their music lessons for many months before they excitedly come together for the show at their local arena.

“Young Voices is the world’s largest children’s choir and has a long standing history spanning 18 years.

“Their spectacular events have featured an impressive array of top talent including Katherine Jenkins, Alexandra Burke, Beverley Knight, Dionne Bromfield, The High Kings, Joss Stone, Des’ree, Connie Talbot and many other established acts.”