SINGERS from a Warrington primary school are striking a chord with audiences around the country with the release of a Christmas CD.

Around 130,000 copies of the album are being distributed with The People’s Friend magazine in the run-up to the festive season.

Six pupils from Stockton Heath Primary School were chosen to perform the 18 tracks – 12 carols and six readings – in a series of recording sessions over the summer.

The chance to make the recording came about because of links between year three teacher Jayne Mercer-Smith and Cheshire music publishers Doodle Box.

Mrs Mercer-Smith said: “They have been pitching to provide the CD for The People’s Friend for many years and they said they wanted to do a recording with children.

“I told them I knew some children who could sing and jumped at the opportunity. We didn’t have much time to rehearse, just a couple of snatched half hours at lunchtime, but the owners said it was one of the best recordings they’ve ever done.”

The team of singers included three year three pupils, now in year four, and three year six pupils who have since gone on to Bridgewater High School, as well as Mrs Mercer-Smith’s 13-year-old daughter Lydia.

“The children loved the whole experience of being in a recording studio. The producers wanted a sound that resembled children singing under the Christmas tree in the village square – something childlike, basically – and they were thrilled with the result,” added Mrs Meyer-Smith.

The People’s Friend is a weekly women’s magazine which has been in existence for nearly 150 years and is part of the famed DC Thomson stable which includes The Beano and The Dandy.