CHILDREN from a Golcar school are hitting the right notes with their gospel choir.

Started in 2000 as part of a three-year music project, the choir is now in great demand for performances across and beyond Huddersfield.

And they are also ready to record their own CD.

Linda Liles, an educational teaching assistant at Beech County Junior, Infant and Nursery School, said: "My colleague Jackie Wilson and I run the choir between us.

"We started originally as part of the music project run in school with the Yorkshire Youth Music organisation.

"Pupils were given 10 taster sessions of different kinds of music including African music and even an Australian didgeridoo.

"The children told us they really liked the gospel music they had listened to."

The pupils formed their own gospel choir, which

rehearses every Monday, as well as giving performances all over the area.

Only recently the choir has taken part in a Holocaust memorial service, and has appeared alongside Honley Ladies' Choir and TV's Look North.

They have performed at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall international concert venue, at Dewsbury Town Hall and at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.

A concert programme is being drawn up for the year ahead.

Said Linda: "The choir is

unique in this area - there is nothing else like it.

"All the children are very dedicated and just love their music."

The choir is indebted to gospel singer and musician Tyndale Thomas from the highly regarded Urban Voice Choir, who was introduced to the Golcar choir through the three-year music scheme.

He now acts as the choir's paid musician, conducting them at venues and attending their weekly rehearsals.

Linda said: "Now the three-year scheme is finished we are self-financing as a choir but will carry on as long as the children are keen."

This coming Friday marks a special day in the choir's history - they will record the CD of gospel music which is to be sold to raise money for school funds.

To order a copy contact the school on 01484 222214.