STUDENTS who last year swapped lessons for a pop concert by chart-topper Peter Andre have put down their pens again for a show by boy band Benz.

As part of a nationwide schools tour the up and coming group - and their unique Boom Rock Soul music - visited St Cecilia's RC High School, Longridge.

It is the first time the band has been to Preston and Tim Shade, the band's rapper, said: "Everyone is really nice. We are very glad to be here.

"I hope we will have the same success that Peter Andre had after he played at the school," he added.

The school has become a venue for potential pop stars after PR company Blitz responded to a plea from a girl pupil and chose them to stage the Peter Andre concert. The school has not looked back since.

Headmaster Colin Mason said: "The children work very hard and occasionally if we can give them a bit of a reward they appreciate it.

"It also makes me very popular," he joked.

The Hackney outfit who describe their work as a blend of soul, hip-hop and swing performed a set which included songs Urban City Girl, Miss Parker and Boom Rock Soul on Monday afternoon.

Later on they took part in a quick question and answers session where pupils got to quiz band members Tim Shade, Big Ben and Darkboy on anything from what they wear in bed to requests for kisses.

Avid fan Anne-Marie Murphy, 13, from Longridge, said: "It was great. I loved it. It is better than doing lessons."

Zoe Holmes, 15, also from Longridge, agreed: "I had never heard any of their songs before but I thought they were brilliant."

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