YOUNG choristers are gearing up for a busy programme of services across the festive season, including performances on Christmas Day.

While most children are looking forward to a day of relaxed present-opening and family fun, 28 pupils at Durham Cathedral’s Chorister School will be spending the Christmas season “at work”.

With two or three hours of practice a day, choristers have an intense rehearsal schedule to prepare about 100 pieces of music for the season’s services at the cathedral.

But Head Boy Chorister Archie Inns, 12, said it is the highlight of his year.

“I literally can’t wait for Christmas,” he said. “I love music, so practice is fun for me. We have a lot of rehearsals but it’s worth it.”

This will be Archie’s third Christmas singing at the Cathedral, after arriving in Durham in 2011 from his home in St Andrews in Scotland.

Choristers are allowed to open presents at school on Christmas morning before preparing for singing.

“We still get a stocking from the boarding house and Father Christmas comes and presents us with one gift from our family, which is like a taster of what we will get once we get home later that day,” explained Archie.

Durham Cathedral Choir will host a fundraising Christmas carol service on Saturday, December 13, with girl and boy choristers singing together with the men of the Choir.

The cathedral will also host Midnight Mass beginning at 11pm on Christmas Eve and, on Christmas Day, Holy Communion at 8am, Matins at 10am, Sung Eucharist at 11.15am and Evensong at 3.30pm.