STUDENTS from Malmesbury School are to take to the stage in front of an audience of 800 people, performing with folk music legend Maddy Prior on Sunday.

The 12 sixth-form students are performing a song with the folk singer, famous for her group Steeleye Span, in Cheltenham.

The song is a heavy metal version of a medieval Latin carol called Personent Hodie, where two students will sing a verse each, and be part of the supporting band.

"It will be by far the biggest crowd I've played in front of but I enjoy playing and I'm really looking forward to it," said Neil Duffin, 16, who will play bass guitar.

Jodie Heron, 17, will sing one of the verses and said the group has been rehearsing at lunchtimes for two weeks.

"I have played before, at things like Christmas concerts, but this will be on a far larger scale," said Miss Heron, who said she and Mr Duffin are studying towards AS Level art.

The performance was set up by Malmesbury School music teacher Bill Badley, who played and toured with Maddy and the Carnival Band before becoming a teacher two years ago.

He said he helped the group record their new CD of carols last summer.

Other students taking part include Jessica Higginbottom, Martha and Katherine Kearney, Danni Wilde, Corinne Trobe, Adam Pearce, and Daniel Cameron.

Miss Wilde is studying towards AS Level music and will be singing a verse.

Miss Trobe and Mr Pearce will be playing saxophone, Mr Cameron will be taking the drums, and Miss Higginbottom and the Kearney sisters will provide backing vocals.

"I hope the youthful energy provided by the young performers will be an added bonus for the audience," said Mr Badley.