PRIMARY school children were given the opportunity of a lifetime when they sang in front of thousands of people at the O2 arena in London.

Nearly 40 pupils from Whitchurch Primary School, in Daniel Road, Whitchurch, joined thousands of other schoolchildren as part of the world’s largest choir.

Up to 8,000 children learned the same songs before rehearsing at the world-class venue on Tuesday afternoon, prior to the performance in the evening in the Young Voices concert.

Songs included a Michael Jackson tribute, True Colours and Bright Eyes.

Young Voices is the largest school choir organiser in the world and arranges more than 14 concerts every year in the UK and Ireland.

Every year more than 2,500 schools, 90,000 children and 6,000 teachers come together to enjoy music and celebrate singing.

The concert helped raise money for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, as well as for the Young Voices Foundation, which encourages children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to enjoy and experience music and singing.

Sarah Peters, head teacher at Whitchurch Primary School, said: “It’s a thrill because they have the opportunity to perform in one of the best venues in the world. We have taken pupils from Years 5 and 6 and are very excited. What I wanted was to give them the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Pupils at the school have been practising for months and were supported by two coachloads of parents who joined them in London to watch the show.