LINDLEY Junior School Choir impressed judges and a large audience at London's Royal Festival Hall.

The 51-strong choir, made up of pupils aged eight to 11, travelled to the capital to sing in the National Festival of Music Youth competition.

It qualified at a regional heat at Almondbury High School in March.

The choir competed against 26 others from around the UK.

It sang The Wind, A La Carte, All Things Bright and Beautiful and Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho.

The Lindley choir was one of five to be highly commended - and the only choir to be highly commended at the festival two years running.

The choir is led by director Mrs Alison Reaks, a music teacher at the school.

"They were absolutely fantastic and have worked incredibly hard," she said. Proud parents there to watch the choir, included Sue Griggs, of Lindley, who was there to see daughter Alys, 11, sing.

Alys has been singing since she was seven.

"They sang beautifully," said Mrs Griggs.

"Myself and other parents were fighting back tears. We were proud of them all," she added.