PUPILS at Scissett Middle School got into the festive spirit early by recording a Christmas single in aid of charity.

The school’s 50-strong choir lent their angelic voices to the track entitled I Still Believe in Father Christmas, which will raise money for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust.

The song has been written by Antoine Reeves, 52, who has been blind since birth.

He spent years perfecting the poignant song which he hopes will bring hope and happiness to children and their families everywhere.

Antoine, of Salendine Nook, also hopes that his uplifting track, which is about all things Christmassy like Santa and Snow, will help raise a lot of money for sick children in need.

Antoine, who provides the main vocals and plays the piano on the track, enlisted the help of the school’s choir and also the musical talents of Kirklees Music School’s Youth Orchestra.

The 65-strong orchestra recorded its contribution to the track at the music school, while the choir had the setting of St Augustine’s Church, in Scissett, in which to record their part.

Thom Meredith, principal of Kirklees Music School, said the choir had a lot of fun providing the melodies and singing the chorus on the track.

He said: “They had great fun recording the track and it’s been a great experience for them.

“It was hard work because they had to record the same parts over and over again, but they did a really good job of it.

“Antoine is a great musician, being blind has not stopped him achieving his goals and it was lovely for him to hear the children singing and the finished product of all his hard work.

“It’s a really good track, really catchy, and I think it’s something people will play again and again at Christmas and it’s for a great cause.

“The children will all be getting the song for their parents for Christmas!”

Cash from the sales of the track will go to the Trust, which is raising money to build a children’s respite centre and hospice for children with life-threatening illnesses at Brackenhall.

Antoine and his team of helpers will be performing the song on December 11 at the Trust’s Christmas concert at Huddersfield Town Hall.

CDs of the track will available on the night for people to buy and will also be available for download from a special website from December 1.