CHILDREN throughout the city’s schools have begun to stage their nativity plays and carol services this week as the festive season begins.

At The Mount Junior School, Tregelles, Reception to Year Six pupils have been in the recording studio to produce their very own Christmas CD.

Listen to It's Christmas 2009 now

Described as a “Slade-like” festive sing-along, the song, called It’s Christmas (Let The Christmas Spirit Flow), was written by a friend of one of the pupil’s parents and recorded in the school hall.

Also in fine voice this week were the children of Years One and Two at Rufforth School, who performed their musical take on the nativity, It’s A Baby, last night in front of proud parents and family.

At the Minster Pre-Prep School, the children of year two not only filled all the roles, but also had an input in the script writing process. Their performance, entitled Silent Night, took place yesterday in the surroundings of York Minster’s Chapter House.

Guides in Tadcaster handed out Christingles at the annual service at St Mary’s Church as part of the town’s Christmas Festival and market.

The service rounded off a day which had also seen a nativity festival at the church, as well as a Christmas tree festival and performances from the combined choirs of Riverside County Primary, Tadcaster East School and St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School.