ALMOST three-quarters of pupils at a village primary school took part in a world record singing bid.

An optional event, 44 of the 60 children at Nettlesworth Primary School, between Durham and Chester-le-Street, joined a simultaneous performance of a specially-written song, For a Better Tomorrow, on Monday.

Schools across the country took part in the record effort, each starting the song at 2.45pm, while pop star Declan and the Young Voices Choir led the bid at a concert at Manchester MEN Arena.

Proceeds from the sing-song will go towards the charity Sargent Cancer Care for Children, which raised more than £42,000 from a similar event last year.

Each of the Nettlesworth pupils paid £1 to take part and with the additional contributions from staff, the school has raised at least £50.

Headteacher Lee Roberts said the children have given up several lunch breaks in recent weeks to rehearse the song, under the guidance of teacher Donna Tindale.

Mrs Roberts said: "They've worked very hard and put their hearts and souls into it, doing all the actions as well as singing." The performance will be ratified by parish councillor Sonia Duncan.