HUNDREDS of children proved they were in fine voice at the first York Schools Choral Festival.

Choirs from seven schools across the city, made up of more than 200 pupils, took part in a day-long event at the University of York’s Jack Lyons Concert Hall.

They sang in front of an audience of parents and staff. Organiser Molly Newton, a music teacher at Heworth Primary School, said the festival was a big success.

She said: “I feel delighted that it’s gone so well. Each of the schools that took part was of an extraordinary standard.

“But there were no auditions, I didn’t want there to be any kind of competition.

“It’s just about everybody celebrating their own achievement, their own performance.”

Ms Newton, who ran the festival with the help of students from the University of York, said she hoped it would become an annual event.

Six primary schools took part, along with older students from Archbishop Holgate’s CE School.