PRIMARY school children performed before a packed-out Parish Church over two nights at the annual Christmas carol concerts.

The service – part of St Helens Council’s Christmas events programme – involved nearly 500 children, parents and teachers from schools across the borough, including 38 young people from the council Music Service’s Youth Orchestra.

A variety of carols and orchestral pieces were performed in front of family and friends, and special guests Councillor Joe Pearson and wife Sylvia, the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens.

Eighteen primary schools took part this year, including Thatto Heath, Sutton Oak, Sutton Manor, Broad Oak, St Mary's Blackbrook, Queen's Park, Garswood, Rivington, Lansbury Bridge, Wargrave, Grange Valley, St Bartholomew’s, St Mary's Birchley, Sherdley, St Peter and St Paul's, St Julie's, Bleak Hill, and Lyme.