PUPILS at Christ Church Walshaw Primary School proved they were top of the pops when they won Bury Hospice’s first choir competition.

The 30 children took to the stage at Radcliffe Civic Suite on Friday to sing before a sell-out audience.

They hit the right note by singing Without Love, I’ll Tell My Ma and Senwa De Dende.

The choir pipped Chantlers Primary School, Bury, and St Andrew’s CE Primary School, Ramsbottom, to the title.

The choir’s prize is a trophy, a session with Halle Choir’s vocal coach, Maggie McDonald — one of the judges — tickets to a Halle concert, music vouchers and a trophy.

Headteacher Ian Young said: “We were absolutely thrilled and delighted to win the competition. It was such a high standard on the evening and it must have been a very difficult decision for the judges. All three school choirs were amazing.

“It is a fantastic achievement for our choir. The trophy is on display in our entrance hall for everyone to see. We will definitely be entering the competition again next year.”

Maggie McDonald said: “It has been a real privilege to be involved in this competition. I have been so impressed with the high standard of singing within our schools, and the sense of sheer joy, enthusiasm and excitement the children communicated in their performances.

“Their teachers are to be praised for the skill, musicianship and encouragement shown to these young singers.”

The show featured a special performance by pupils from Elms Bank Specialist Arts College, who sang Don’t Stop Believin’, My Heart Will Go On and New York, New York. The evening raised more than £3,500 which will go towards the appeal for £2.5 million to build a new Bury Hospice.

Claire Warner, the hospice’s director of fundraising, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support of this new event from the schools, their pupils and the parents. There is no doubt in our minds that we will now absolutely make this an annual event and hope to engage with even more choirs next year.”