TEENAGERS from the region are starring alongside a who’s who of pop royalty including Stevie Wonder and Elton John and One Direction for the new Children in Need charity single.

Tees Valley Youth Choir were seen in the three minute video - played simultaneously across all BBC TV and radio stations last (Tuesday) night .

It also marked the launch of BBC Music, an ambitious wave of new programmes, innovative partnerships and musical initiatives underlining the corporation's commitment to music.

It comes 17 years after the BBC unveiled it's first star-studded version of a classic, Lou Reed’s Perfect Day.

The choir, which comes under the umbrella of the Tees Valley Music Service (TVMS), was first approached to take part in the ambitious project two years ago.

As a past runner-up in the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition, the vocalists have reached the finals of the National Festival of Music for Youth several times as well singing at the Royal Albert and touring across Europe.

“We got a call from the BBC saying they were really interested in pulling something together but they just had the bare bones. They said we had been chosen from all the choirs in the country, ” said service manager at TVMS, Susan Robertson.

A group of about 30 teenagers travelled to London in June to film their segment in the same studios as the BBC Saturday night talent show, Tumble, bumping into ‘H’ from Steps backstage.

After having their hair and make-up done and their clothes selected by stylists, they saw Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine in the corridor before heading in for their first take.

The teenagers singing sensations appear after Queen’s Brian May solo and before the vocals of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson who penned, God Only Knows.

Other famous faces - known collectively as the Impossible Orchestra - on the BBC Music video include Coldplay's Chris Martin, Pharrell Williams, Kylie Minogue, Emeli Sande, Paloma Faith and Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl alongside new talents like Lorde and Jake Bugg.

BBC Music will encompass TV and radio programming, digital services and schemes to support emerging performers as well as the introduction of classical music to UK primary schools.

“I love the track, where would we be without music in our lives?” asked Mrs Robertson. “We have got a fantastic tradition for music in our area. “We have got to fight for music and keep it at the core of what we do.

“Schools are focusing on literacy and numeracy and we are fighting to get music at the very heart of the curriculum again.”

The Tees Valley Youth Choir is made up of 13 to 19-year-olds from across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire who practice every Wednesday in Stockton from 6pm to 8.45pm, conducted by Andy King from Ripon School.

“Since it was broadcast our young people have watched it over and over again. They are absolutely thrilled with all the attention. They feel like stars.”