SCHOOL children from across York, North and East Yorkshire pulled on their dancing shoes for Rock Challenge and J Rock.

The stage stars of the future had a great time as the competition, which has a strong anti-drugs message, rolled up to the Barbican.

Six teams of primary and secondary school pupils from around the region took part, including Hempland Primary, Pocklington Community Junior School, Malton School, Graham School in Scarborough, Hackforth and Hornby CE Primary in Bedale and Welburn Hall School in Kirkbymoorside.

Each school chose and developed their own theme for their performance, with themes including forbidden love, war and peace, the Queen and anxiety.

Teams had up to eight minutes to perform on their chosen theme to family, friends, VIPs, sponsors and a panel of industry professionals.

Malton School took first place in the Rock Challenge section of the competition for secondary pupils, while Pocklington came first in the J Rock section for primary pupils.

Jon Lee, from Malton School’s drama department, said: “The entire project has been completely student-led [and] I am really proud of their achievements in such a short amount of time.

“I would like to thank them all for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the project.”

Miss Millar, one of the teachers who co-ordinated the Pocklington routine, said: “We are so proud of the children and the effort they put into the show. We are ecstatic that all the hard work has shone through.”

A number of other awards in various categories, such as choreography, costumes and soundtrack, were up for grabs on the night, as well as the Suzanne Asquith award for Spirit of Rock Challenge. The award, in memory of Suzanne, a York police officer, who died of cancer in 2016, was presented by her husband, Mick, also a PC.

It goes to the team that has been most supportive on the day, voted for by the other teams taking part, and went to Pocklington.