IT took hours of rehearsal, but when 750 children from 27 schools came together for a concert in Swindon, the results were spectacular.

The primary school choirs took part in a performance that included renditions of popular classics from artists including Abba, Chris De Burgh and the Beatles.

The fourth annual Junior Music Festival was performed to a sell-out audience at the Oasis Leisure Centre, with music provided by Swindon Young Music-ians Jazz Orchestra.

The event went ahead under the supervision of conductor Val Weston and director of music David Barnard, who had just a few hours to work with the assembled group of children before the concert.

Mr Barnard said: "All the children have been really enthusiastic about this.

"For some of them it is their first experience of being on stage. The show is hugely popular."

Mayor David Cox and mayoress Jenny Dean were among the audience.

Mr Cox said: "We have culture, we have talent. This is the youth of Swindon, the youth of tomorrow. I am proud to be here. I am sure that many of those here will be in future choirs of Swindon."

The mayor presented everyone involved in the concert with Easter eggs.

They included the designer of the programme, Amber Wood from Penhill Primary School.

For more information about Swindon Music Centre, which helped organise the concert, contact Sandra Butchell on Swindon 487802.

The group offers choir sessions for children seven and upwards every Saturday at Churchfields School during term time.

Who took part

Abbey Meads Primary; Covingham Park Junior; Eldene Primary; Even Swindon Junior; Ferndale Junior; Goddard Park Primary; Gorse Hill Junior; Grange Junior; Haydonleigh Primary; Holy Family RC Primary; King William Street CE Primary; Lainesmead Primary; Lawn Junior; Liden Primary; Moredon Junior; Mountford Manor Primary; Nythe Primary; Oliver Tomkins CE Junior; Penhill Primary; Salt Way Primary; South Marston CE Primary; St Andrews CE Primary; Toothill Primary; Tregoze Primary; Westlea Primary; Westrop Primary; Windmill Primary.