PRIMARY school children in Darlington have tuned up for Christmas by staging an annual carols concert in aid of a local hospice.

Seven schools took part in the latest Carols4Kids concert which this year took place in the Dolphin Centre and raised money for St Teresa’s Hospice.

The competition was a tie between Reid Street and Mowden, with Reid Street winning after a dramatic “sing-off”.

Other schools taking part were: Heathfield, High Coniscliffe, Polam Hall, Springfield, and St Mary’s.

The concert was conducted by Richard Bloodworth and judges were the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Veronica Copeland; the Reverend Matthew Firth; and journalist Peter Barron.

The Mayor said: “The standard was really high, and it was difficult to pick a winner, but Reid Street just edged it with a confident performance.”

The Carols4Kids concerts were launched in 2012 and the winners get to attend the following year’s Christmas lights switch-on in the town centre.