TWO French students are helping to create a double first for a cathedral choir this year.

From September, two French girls will be among the first female members of Durham Cathedral choir.

Laure de Longevialle and Apolline Jauffret will also be the first French voices to feature in the choir.

The 12-year-olds took voice trials when the cathedral choir performed in France last month.

Choir master James Lancelot said: “Despite not speaking English as their first language and having very little time to prepare, they performed excellently.

“We are very much looking forward to them joining us.”

Both will study at the nearby Chorister School.

Laure said: “I am looking forward to making friends with the girls here.

“It is such a beautiful place and I can play lots more sport than I can in France.”

Apolline said: “We love music and we can practise so much here.”

Both will spend a year with the choir.