A CHARITY Christmas album made by talented youngsters and a Weymouth choir raised much-needed funds for two good causes.

Some 70 pupils from seven schools in the borough raised the roof with the One Voice group to record the track at the Hope Church, in Trinity Street.

Proceeds from the CD will go to Weymouth and Portland Children’s Centres and the Weymouth Food Bank.

The 100-strong group raised £222 for both causes. The album featured a new tune for ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and three songs sung by adults in the choir.

Mayor Ray Banham was presented with the first official copy of ‘It’s Christmas Time in Weymouth’ at the Mayor's Parlour in the council offices.

The idea first came about 18 months ago with the writing of lyrics by choir chairman John Ellis focusing on ‘God’s own Son’ being welcomed to Weymouth.

Mr Ellis said: “A talented composer, Andy Hague from Honiton, took up the challenge of writing a catchy tune.

“The idea was sold to all the Weymouth and Portland schools, and seventy primary pupils, including some from our special schools, took up the challenge and now a recording has been made.”

Grazina Ellis, the music director of One Voice, and teachers trained the youngsters. Both groups came together and a recorded the track.

There are four Weymouth and Portland Children’s Centres in the town at Westham, Portland, Littlemoor and the town centre.

Mr Ellis said: “Thanks must go to the well-behaved children and choir with Phil Williams on keyboard and Marilyn Mackenzie on flute, supported by the parents and guardians and volunteers who enabled us to make our dream come true.”

The rest of the CDs will hopefully be saved and sold next year.