Halesowen school pupils were in fine voice when they scooped top place in Merry Hill Shopping Centre's Christmas choir competition.

The choir from Lapal Primary scooped £1k for school funds after being named 'best choir' in the annual Intu Merry Hill competition.

Forty eight children from the Priory Road school, aged five to 11, took part impressing judges by hitting all the right notes.

Headteacher Joanna Turner said: "It's absolutely amazing - so many schools enter each year.

"The feedback we had was that the choir was very smart and filled the centre with beautiful song and festive cheer.

"We are extremely proud of the children who have been practising every lunch time."

Judges were also impressed by the fact that pupils performed the song 'I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas' in sign language.

Other songs which impressed judges included 'Silent Night' and 'Black Country Carol.'

On the way back from their winning performance at the centre in Quarry Bank children stopped off at Lapal House care home to bring festive cheer to its residents.

Sarah Wootton, school music lead and teaching assistant Natalie Wylde, worked with the children to learn all of their songs. More than 20 schools took part in the competition.