CHILDREN from choirs drawn from primary schools all around Swindon were singing their hearts out in the fourth annual Christmas choir competition at the Great Western Designer Outlet Village.

Watched by an audience of appreciative shoppers, the youngsters spent the afternoon running through their performances in the culmination of many weeks' hard rehearsing.

The winning choir were drawn from Lethbridge School and performed under the direction of their teacher Wendy Crosby.

The 20-strong group of talented youngsters were presented with £1,000 by Outlet Village representative Iona Carter to spend on music equipment in the school.

Runners-up were North View School, who were awarded £500.

The eight schools in the final of the competition were chosen from four weekly heats held at the Outlet Village throughout November.

Performances were scrutinised by experienced choral judges Jean Allister, Patricia Langley-Poole and Gwyn Arch.

Compere Shirley Ludford from BBC Wiltshire Sound said: "I was pleased that I did not have to do any of the judging because the standard was so high."

Winners for the previous two years, Ruskin Junior School, did not enter the contest, to give others a chance.

All of the choirs in the final heat were recorded and will be broadcast by BBC Wiltshire Sound through the Christmas week.