A PRIMARY school choir has performed at the Royal Albert Hall in a festive charity show.

Richard de Clare Primary School, in Halstead, joined more than 40 other schools for a performance at the historic venue on Monday, to raise money for children’s charity Barnado’s.

The choir performed as part of the Young Supporters’ Concert and spent two months practising at school before the big day.

Headteacher Sarah Donnelly said: “They performed a medley of carols and a short musical – Scrooge, a Ghost of a Chance – and finished off with an iconic blast of Land of Hope and Glory.

“The children were excited to perform on the same stage as Beyoncé and Adele, as well as so many more, and many recognised the formidable venue from TV programs for Remembrance or the Last Night of the Proms.

“The day was exhausting but so worthwhile. Children, staff and parents were over the moon at the standard of the performance and the kudos of the event and venue.

“Many memories were made and aspirations born.”

Barnardo’s has organised concerts for its young supporters at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues for nearly 20 years.

Choirs from schools across the country are invited by the charity to perform and young people from the schools also audition for solo performances. Monday’s event is set to raise more than £60,000 so that Barnardo’s can continue its work helping vulnerable children.

A spokesman for the charity said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome teachers, staff, parents and friend to our Young Supporters’ Concert at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

“At Barnardo’s we believe in children – we work to support the most vulnerable children no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. But we can’t do this work without the support of the public.

"It was appropriate that on Monday so many children performed and, in doing so, are helping us to raise vital funds to continue our work with the children and young people who need us the most.”