MORE than 200 Derwentside schoolchildren hope to hit the right note and help create a world record.

Today, youngsters from ten primary, secondary and special schools will join schools across the country via a radio and video link in a mass rendition of the specially composed Guinness world record song Tell Me Why.

It is hoped that more than 100,000 young people take part, making it the world's largest choir.

The event will raise funds for the national charity Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

At 2.45pm, the Derwentside children will sing in Tanfield Comprehensive School and will be linked to the other choirs and a concert in Belfast's Odyssey Arena featuring young singing star Declan Galbraith.

The event is being staged by Young Voices, who successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the world's largest choir last Christmas, when 6,846 youngsters sang together in Manchester.

Joanne Alderson, music co-ordinator at Harelaw School, near Stanley, said: "We are delighted and excited at being involved in establishing a new world record and supporting a really worthwhile cause at the same time.''

The charity's fundraiser, Julia Jones, said: "We are thrilled that children from Derwentside are taking part in this fantastic event.

"We cannot thank them enough for all the money they are raising to help children with cancer across the UK.''