BOROUGH churches and schoolchildren will play a major part in this year’s Sing the Christmas Story concerts.

Nearly 5,000 youngsters from infant, junior and primary schools across Cheshire are taking part at the big carol-singing event to be staged at nine venues, including two in Ellesmere Port & Neston.

As usual the concerts are led by county council primary music advisor Maureen Richards who narrates the story with the children singing six modern carols they have learned in school.

Some schools offer a solo performance which is fitted in at an appropriate time in the story.

This year’s events are accompanied by local composer and pianist Michael Williams and he is joined by a brass quartet three of whose players come from the Leyland Band.

On cornet is ex-Cornet Champion of Great Britain and conductor of the Leyland Band Russell Gray.

Organiser David Lancashire and manager of all the Cheshire County Council Music Ensembles will also play the cornet.

On baritone will be Katriona Marzella while Brendan Wheeler will play the tuba. Both have separately won the BBC Radio Two Young Musician of the Year contest and are members of the Leyland Band.

“I know that these concerts, which have been an annual event these past 12 years, continue to grow in popularity,” said County Councillor David Rowlands, lead member for children’s services.

“This year 99 schools will be taking part in 20 events at nine venues across Cheshire. I am sure that the children will enjoy their special concerts.”

Organisers point out that the events are purely for children and there will be no room for parents and carers.

First local event comes this afternoon at St Thomas’ Church, in Ellesmere Port.

Seven schools are involved with 214 children. Schools taking part are Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Rivacre Valley Primary, Meadow Community Primary, Christ Church Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, The Oaks Community Primary and Hinderton School.

Second concert is tomorrow morning, also at St Thomas’ and involves six schools and 238 children. Taking part are Little Sutton C of E Primary, The Acorns Primary, St Saviour’s RC Infants, Wolverham Primary and Nursery, Christ Church Cof E Primary and St Bernard’s RC Primary.

Another concert tomorrow at St Thomas’ involves four schools and 225 children. Taking part are Meadow Primary, William Stockton Primary, Our Lady’s RC Primary and Whitby Heath Primary.

Next Wednesday morning two concerts will be held at Neston Parish Church involving seven schools and 331 children.

Taking part are St Winefride’s RC Primary, Neston Primary, Bishop Wilson Cof E Primary, St Winefrides RC Primary, Parkgate Primary, and Woodfall Primary.