YOUNG singers took centre stage at a city theatre to charm a packed audience of friends and relatives last night.

The "house full" signs went up at Durham's Gala Theatre as performers from the city's St Leonard's RC School choir and orchestra staged a summer concert.

They were joined by smaller groups from three of the comprehensive school's feeder primaries, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, at Esh Winning, St Patrick's, at Langley Moor, and St Michael's, at Esh Laude.

A programme of music and song featured extracts from St Leonard's recent production of Oliver.

Fittingly, in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year, the school's senior choir sang Zadok the Priest, by Handel, which has been performed at every coronation since 1727.

It also provided the musical backdrop to the recent fireworks on the Mall as part of the Jubilee celebrations, footage of which was shown on screen as the choir was in full flow last night.

Musical director Matthew Grehan-Bradley said the varied programme had the audience "rocking in the aisles".

The Gala Theatre's equipment allowed full use of special effects and lighting to add to the occasion, he said.

Mr Grehan-Bradley added: "We've staged a couple of rehearsals at the school and one at the theatre and it's been marvellous for everyone involved to play in such a venue."