AN all male school choir has performed at one of the country’s most famous stately homes.

The senior choir of Aysgarth School, near Bedale, gave a concert at Chatsworth House, the 16th century home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire in Derbyshire. The concert was held in one of the house's most renowned rooms, the Painted Hall.

The choir is one of only a few all boy chapel choirs in the country with 30 boys aged between 11 and 13 who sing trebles, altos and basses. Entry is by audition only.

Director of Music, Matthew Atherton devised a special programme for the concert with the choir performing pieces including Zadok the Priest, several pieces by Flanders and Swann and the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel.

Mr Atherton said there were also a number of voice and solo pieces performed on trumpet, cornet, and timpani.

He added: “To perform in such a prestigious place is such an honour. We have been working hard to create a programme that would complement the magnificence of Chatsworth, and especially the stunning Painted Hall.

“I am so proud of what they have achieved this year, not just at Chatsworth but also on a recent choir tour of Paris.”