YOUNGSTERS from all over the North West attended a one-day workshop with former King's Singer Bob Chilcott at Blackburn Cathedral.

The composer put 150 secondary school children from Lancashire, Chester, Liverpool, Altrincham and Withington and young choristers from the Blackburn Diocese through their paces.

Organiser Mavis Fletcher, North West chairman of the Association of British Choral Directors, said: "We did warm up singing and then some plain chanting, similar to how Monks sing, and then we improvised and made up tunes.

"It was a wonderful day and everyone worked well together and helped each other.

"They also sang his upbeat tune Buffalo Gals and a song Can You Hear Me which has sign language which he taught to the children.

"They loved it!"