HUNDREDS of youngsters from across York, North and East Yorkshire were in fine voice for the annual York Schools Choral Festival.

More than 350 children from primary and secondary schools in and around York were involved in this year's festival at the University of York with pupils from Archbishop Holgate’s CE, Hempland School, Heworth CE, Lord Deramore's, St Aelred's RC, Stamford Bridge, Tadcaster Grammar and Yearsley Grove.

The event also saw the debut performance of City of York Children’s Sing and Sign Choir, the York schools signing choir, organised by Helen Martin is made up of hearing impaired children and their teachers or teaching assistants from all across the city.

One of the festival organisers, Molly Newton, said: " The Sing and Sign choir are newly formed and had only rehearsed together three times before the day and they were amazing. They performed True Colours and it was fabulous.

"The final song we all sang together was "Wonderful World" which the children were all singing as well as signing. The whole event was brilliant and I'm so proud of all involved."

The event this year was held in memory of former Lord Deramore's teacher Peter Heale who died of cancer in March aged 41. Mr Heale was the driving force behind music at the school.