SCHOOLCHILDREN who were taught to sing only three months ago hit the high note when they performed at one of the region's top theatres at the weekend.

Although the choir at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College was formed only three months ago, the pupils clearly made an impression on British Gospel Arts at a workshop in March.

For the school choir was asked to perform alongside the London Community Gospel Choir at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City, on Saturday.

British Gospel Arts, which is the educational section of the choir, went into the school to lead two singing workshops.

The workshops, which taught pupils basic singing and three-part harmonies, inspired them to form a choir - something that has been absent at Hurworth for five years.

The group, which was founded in 1999, holds workshops for schools and community groups across Britain and Europe.

A total of 27 children, aged 11 to 15, took to the stage with the choir at Durham. The youngsters performed songs called It is Good and Happy Day to a sell-out audience of 500.

Staff and parents were there to cheer the children on.

Rita Rees, who teaches food technology at Hurworth, was in the audience.

She said: "It was really good. The children really enjoyed it."

Following their success at the Gala, the school choir's next performance will be at the school's multi-cultural day later this week, when they will perform in front of year nine.

Claire Suddes, performing arts co-ordinator at Hurworth, performed on stage with the children.

She said: "I was quite happy to hover back-stage, but the girl running the workshop said, 'Come on', so I didn't need a second invitation.

"The atmosphere was just fabulous. It was fantastic. The children were just absolutely amazing."

She said the children had been excited about the concert since they were asked to perform.

"They phoned me last week and said, 'We want some of your children to come and perform one or two songs'.

"The gospel choir don't often ask people to come and sing with them. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for them."