A GROUP of Leigh schoolchildren were on top note, singing in front of Tony Blair's new Arts Minister Estelle Morris.

Pupils from four Leigh schools joined others from Salford and Trafford and Blackburn with Darwen for a NorthWest Education Action Zone Conference at UMIST in Manchester.

The event included workshops illustrating nine key projects, a speech by Estelle Morris -- who as Education Minister launched Leigh EAZ back in 1999 -- and a mini musical written exclusively for the occasion.

Flight of The Songbirds was created by Stuart Ross, the Salford Zone's specialist music teacher.

Youngsters from Bedford High, who hosted local rehearsals, Leigh CE Juniors, Christ Church Pennington CE Primary and St Thomas CE Primary featured in the musical interlude.

Governors, headteachers, teachers and parents from all 26 Leigh EAZ schools were joining guests for the event which was designed to highlight the legacy of EAZs when the doors finally close at the end of 2003.

A GROUP of Leigh schoolchildren were on top note today, singing in front of Tony Blair's new Arts Minister Estelle Morris.

Pupils from four Leigh schools will join others from Salford and Trafford and Blackburn with Darwen for a NorthWest Education Action Zone Conference today at UMIST in Manchester.

The event included workshops illustrating nine key projects, a speech by Estelle Morris -- who as Education Minister launched Leigh EAZ back in 1999 -- and a mini musical written exclusively for the occasion.

Flight of The Songbirds has been created by Stuart Ross, the Salford Zone's specialist music teacher.

Youngsters from Bedford High, who hosted local rehearsals, Leigh CE Juniors, Christ Church Pennington CE Primary and St Thomas CE Primary featured in the musical interlude.

Governors, headteachers, teachers and parents from all 26 Leigh EAZ schools were joining guests for the event which was designed to highlight the legacy of EAZs when the doors finally close at the end of 2003.