STUDENTS from The St John's Academy Choir travelled to London yesterday to take part in the final of the Barnardo's National Choir competition at the Royal Festival Hall.

The choir, consisting of 29 girls from Years 8-13 and directed by Max More, St John's director of performance, had won the previous round to reach the highly competitive final.

The choir found themselves against stiff opposition from schools across the UK.

Despite not winning the competition, the final was a great experience for the students, who all enjoyed performing at a major national venue.

In getting through to the finals, the St John's choir had pushed out several other choirs that had regularly been finalists in previous years.

Delighted teacher Mr More said: "I was immensely proud of what the girls achieved yesterday.

"They have been telling me for weeks that it would all be OK on the day, and it most certainly was.

"For a choir that has only been in existence for just over a year, and with limited rehearsal time, we have done commendably well. As ambassadors for St John's, the students were simply exemplary.

"For a number of the Sixth Form choir members this was their last performance before their examination schedules take over. I wish them every success and thank them for their fantastic contribution to the choir."

Nine members of the choir now have just a few days to rest their voices before they head into final rehearsals for the St John's musical, the schools version of We Will Rock You.

The show is being performed over four nights, 23, 25, 26 and 27 Feb and is also directed by Mr More.

Tickets are on sale from Ticketsource: ticketsource.co.uk/event/112536