A SCHOOL choir from Chester has been described as of an exceptionally high standard by judges in a new competition.

The Queen’s Park High School Show Choir competed in the first ever Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod LIMELife Spring event.

Head of recreational and performing arts at the school Matt Yeoman said: “The competition was in the middle of our Easter holidays but we managed to get more than half of our singers to take part.

“The choir has really only been up and running since Christmas so I was very proud when we received such positive feedback from the judges.

“They said they really enjoyed the arrangements and were impressed by our strong solo performers.”

The choir, led by Mr Yeoman and Claire Phillips, sang an adaptation of Annie Lennox’s Walking on Broken Glass and I Know Where I’ve Been from the musical Hairspray and sixth former Alex Keirl was one of the soloists.

The competition took place in the Llangollen Pavilion in front of an audience of 500 people.

“It was a very tense day,” added Mr Yeoman, who accompanied the choir on piano.

Stagecoach Northwest regional choir also took part in the competition, which was won by Crescendo from Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph. The youngsters will now perform on the main stage before the Choir of the World competition in July.

Competition judges were actor and presenter Stifyn Parri and West End musical director Gareth Valentine.

Stifyn Parri said: “The standard of all the show choirs performing here was exceptionally high. ŠIt is a testament to the expertise of their choreographers and choir leaders who form and tutor these wonderful singing groups and without whom these choirs would not reach such a high standard.”