More than 1,000 children from Essex put on a magnificent performance at the Royal Albert Hall recently.

The fund raising concert for Barnado's, the children's charity, and sponsored by The Central Line Social Club, drew a near capacity crowd of family and friends.

In an atmosphere similar to a family party the pupils from 34 Essex schools performed old favourites which included music hall and Gershwin as well as the more modern Grease and S Club 7.

Very ably accompanied by Tim Carey on piano, with soloist Martin Baker, musical director of Chelmsford Star Harmony, the children delighted the audience with a mixture of massed singing, three-part harmonies, rounds and choreographed movements.

The red t-shirted army of children responded very professionally to every instruction from their lively conductor Susannah Edom, head teacher of Little Waltham primary school.

Most of the concert was performed by junior school children with some schools like Highwood only fielding nine stalwart singers while others, including Moulsham took a coach load.

Among the other schools involved were Beehive Lane, Boreham, Danbury Park, Downham, Elm Green, Great Waltham, Lawford Mead, Little Waltham, Nabbotts, Perryfields, St Andrews Hatfield Peverel, St Cedds, St Peter's, The Cathedral, Tollesbury and Tyrrells.

Pupils from The Sandon School choir also sang two numbers and the pupils of Lexden Springs School special school performed Kumbyah to tumultuous applause. The whole concert was top and tailed by music from the award winning British Legion Youth Marching Brentwood.

The event was organised by Jen Privett, regional events manager, Barnardo's.