THESE youngsters were tuning up ahead of The Press’s Absent Friends carol service at noon tomorrow.

Members of the senior choir at St Lawrence’s CE Primary School will be leading the singing at the service in St Denys’ Church, Walmgate.

Other special guests include Peter Lawrence, the father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, and Dion Smith, the sister of Lisette Dugmore – a former RSPCA kennels assistant from Clifton, who has not been seen since July 2008.

They will both be reading lessons alongside BBC broadcaster Harry Gration, Douglas Parkhill, from the Missing People charity, and Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the investigation into the suspected murder of 35-year-old Claudia.

The service aims to offer those who will be separated from their loved ones during the festive season an occasion at which they can officially remember them.

Jane Nellar, head teacher at St Lawrence’s CE Primary School, said: “We were really pleased to be invited by The Press to take part in the carol service.

“We love taking part in community projects, particularly this one, when the theme of the carol service is Absent Friends.

“At Christmas we all think about people who may not be with their families and we are delighted that we can take some sort of part in that and hope that we can make a difference.”

A collection will be held at the service for Missing People, a charity that provides families of missing people specialist advice and practical support.

All are welcome, but the public is asked to bear in mind the church is small and worshippers should arrive early for the best chance of attendance.

If you are not able to attend the service, but would like to make a donation to Missing People, log on to missingpeople.org.uk/supportus, phone 0800 298 7858, or make cheques payable to Missing People and send them to Missing People, 284 Upper Richmond Road West, London, SW14 7JE.