A NORTH-EAST school rocked around the Christmas tree yesterday as pupils recorded a festive song.

More than 300 students at St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, helped record an original track called Wake Up It's Christmas Time.

Written by the school's director of post-16 core studies, Leo McCormack, the song is to be made into a CD and will also be played on local radio.

Youngsters from each of the school's year groups joined in with the singing, while the instruments were played by members of the staff band.

Mr McCormack said that Wizzard's 1973 hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day was the inspiration for his catchy tune.

"It's just a different Christmas song," he said. "My son was playing Wizzard so I thought it would be nice to do a Christmas song.

"It's about forgetting the commercial aspect of Christmas, and rather concentrating on what it is really all about."

The track will be put together by Mike Frankland of Castlegate Recording in Norton, near Stockton, Teesside, and the school also plans to include a music video produced by teachers on the CD.

It will also receive air play, as BBC Radio Cleveland will play the song on Saturday, December 17, at 1.45pm.

Judging by the reaction of the children who enthusiastically lent their voices to the song, it is sure to sell well when it is released next week.

Anna Ryan, 13, said: "I will probably buy the CD and we've enjoyed singing it."

Tom Harnett, 13, said: "I like the song. It's been better than being in lessons."

About 500 CDs will be produced, costing £3 each, and will be available to buy at the school's Christmas celebration on December 14 and 15 at 7pm.