THERE’S 70 years between them but budding opera singer Grace O’Malley and a Chelsea Pensioner were certainly singing from the same hymn sheet when they recorded a single together.

The Alder Grange College pupil, 15, recorded the song with 85-year-old Dennis Shiels.

Grace, from Crawshawbooth, is following in the footsteps of her idol, famous mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, who also performed alongside a Chelsea pensioner.

After a busy day in the studio, Grace said: “What a day. Our track recorded, pictures taken for newspaper and CD cover. Our single is well on the way.”

Grace and retired Army veteran Dennis have already performed the song, called I’ll Be Seeing You, together.

Last month, they entertained students and guests at a charity concert at Marsden Heights Community College in Nelson, with their first performance of the track.

Other military heroes were in attendance for the concert, having been invited up to East Lancashire by former Scots Guard Ted Davidson, from Padiham, who is vice-president of Burnley and District Royal British Legion.

Grace’s concert at the school raised money for the Legion and Pendleside Hospice.

This month, the Crawshawbooth youngster travelled to London to sing with more Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

The single will be out shortly.