AMAZED youngsters have performed pop medleys and accompanied beatboxing tracks when at an international arena where chart toppers are usually on the bill.

School groups from across the area have been in awe of the experiences of singing at Manchester Arena as part of Young Voices 2017.

Pupils from our local schools have been part of the world's largest schools choir concerts, with some 8,000 children performing at Manchester Arena on dates last week and also this week.

A collective of schools from the Millom area, known as Millom Partnership Group, had great fun at one of the concerts last week.

The choir is made up of children from Black Combe Junior School, St James' Catholic Primary School, Millom School, Haverigg Primary School and Broughton Primary School.

Choir leader Ruth Cullen and staff from the schools took a group of 46 children to the event

Mrs Cullen said: "It was the third year we have taken singers to Manchester and it was as exciting as ever."

The Young Voices performers sang a wide range of songs from the 80s pop hit 'Birdhouse in Your Soul', as well as the African three part harmony song Maliswe.

The schools also signed and sang to John Farnham's 'You're the Voice' and sang a favourite 'Pop Medley' which included songs by Coldplay and Olly Murs. There was a celebrity guest in the form of Tabby Callaghan from The X Factor whose new song 'Lost for a Day' will be released as the first ever Young Voices charity single to raise money for Nordoff Robbins music therapy.

The pupils also sang and rapped with world beatboxing champions Beatbox Collective.

Mrs Cullen said: "It was a very long day, but the children, together with the parents who came along, all had a fantastic time. This is a big team event, with children, staff and parents all working hard to make sure it is a night to remember."

The pupils of St Paul's CE Junior School in Barrow also had a strong presence at Young Voices last week.

Marie Last from St Paul's said: "We took 50 choir members and six staff and had a fantastic day."

Low Furness CE Primary School, at Urswick had 23 pupils at the event.

Headteacher Sue Little said: "The pupils had a fantastic time. The Young Voices sang Stronger Together in assembly and it was wonderful."

Among the schools are heading to Young Voices this week are Lindal and Martin Primary School, Greengate Junior School and St George's CE Primary School.

Schools can send their Young Voices photos and details to news.em@nwemail.co.uk.