YOUNGSTERS sang their hearts out at a national music festival.

The pupils from Wyke Regis Junior School were invited to take part in the National Festival of Music for Youth after impressing at a regional festival in Taunton.

One of the songs they performed at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham was ‘Throw Your Arms Around the World’, which was penned by teacher David Payne.

Helen Rewse, the school’s music subject leader, said: “It was an exciting day.

“The acoustics in the hall were excellent and you could have heard a pin drop from the stage.

“I think all the children who took part really enjoyed it.”

The innovative youngsters recorded a CD of them performing and sold it to raise money for them to get to the festival, which featured around 20 different schools from around the country.

They also took part in a school talent show to raise money to get there.

Some 45 year five and year six youngsters, all aged between nine and 11, travelled to Birmingham from Weymouth for the festival.

A coach-load of parents also made the trip to support the youngsters.

The pupils wore matching purple shirts with gold treble clefts on them and performed ‘Rhythm of Life’, ‘Throw Your Arms Around the World’ and ‘How Much is that Doggie in the Window?’ Mrs Rewse said: “Everyone felt very proud of them, they were all thrilled to be there.

“We thought they would sleep on the coach on the way back but they didn’t because they were so excited.

‘Throw Your Arms Around the World’ was recorded on to a CD at the school and was sold to raise money for the musical youngsters to travel to the Midlands.

The song features year six pupil Ruby Ellis doing a solo performance.

Mrs Rewse added: “The song is about working together to help people all over the world.

“It’s a happy song but it’s meant to be thought-provoking because it’s about children’s rights, which they have been studying in school.

“We recorded it in school with the pupils singing individually into a microphone.

“It was then mixed by Mr Payne.”