THE finalists of the School Christmas choir competition have now been announced after two days of top quality singing.

The final is due to take place on Sunday, December 15, at the Forum 28 from 10.30am until 1pm.

South Lakes Lettings and Voce had the difficult task of choosing the finalists of the Barrow BID competition who are: George Hastwell School, Dane Ghyll Community Primary School, North Walney Primary School, and Parkside Academy.

Nicola Bower, deputy headteacher at George Hastwell, said: “We have been developing our signing choir over the past year and we thought it would be good for our pupils to do the competition.

“We have 21 pupils and 12 staff members in our choir with Cheryl who leads them, and they really enjoyed it. We had quite a few parents there to support us.”

Pete Mills, headteacher of Dane Ghyll Community Primary School, said: “We really pleased to be in the final of the choir competition.

“The children are really looking forward to doing it again after singing at the market on Friday.

“Just being able to sing in public is reward enough.

“The choir is always really popular in our school, they went on a residential recently to Bradford to perform at the Chellow Heights which they all really enjoyed.

“The choir is one way in which the school connects with the community so we are really glad to be a part of it as it does a lot for the town of Barrow, and this is the case regardless of the result.

Kathryn Hodgkiss, a teacher at North Walney Primary School, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be in the final and the children are really excited.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for them and they are raring to go.

“They have been getting a lot of practise in even at this busy time of year, but they are rising to the challenge.

“We are hoping to win it, but the biggest achievement is getting to the final, there are three other great schools competing as well.”

Colin Garnett, Barrow BID manager, said: “For me, the event is already a success, we have four fantastic schools in the final, but it could have been any of the 12 that entered.

“It was a difficult decision to make, so I am glad it was not me who had to do it.

“I want those whoa re in the final to enjoy the opportunity to sing in The Forum.

“This is a nice Christmas tradition which I hope will continue.

“We need more like this.”