They peeped nervously from the wings, smiling, waving at family and friends.

Then it was showtime, all signs of anxiety slipped away as the children representing Darlington bounded confidently onto the stage today.

Children from schools across the town, junior and secondary, the youngsters were in London to perform at the Millennium Dome.

Seventy boys and girls had the task of conveying images of their home town through song, dance movement, mine and music as part of McDonald's Our Town Story.

Towns from across the country have all been given their opportunity to perform at the Dome this year. Communications was the main thrust of Darlington's performance one that was given with great enthusiasm and bounce.

The opening began with the children thumping their feet to the rhythm of a train running the tracks.

That would have been effective enough but set to a film playing in the background of a modern day train pulling into the town's it was inspired choreography.

The youngsters, each dressed in pure white, then conveyed themselves through mine as being average commuters at the station; one tearful lover waving a handkerchief to a departing love, grumpy old men, business people looking at their watched, holiday makers and anxious teddy bear clutching toddlers.

Then it was time for representing town's other main interest football.

Four children with Darlington scarves and four - possibly Hartlepool fans - stood on opposite side of the stage miming the watching of a vital crunch derby game before giving a slow motion action replay of a match.

The mood again changed rapidly to convey what Darlington is best known for - railways.

A lone voice of James Garbutt from Eastbourne Comprehensive was soon joined by many others as the children sang a folksong extolling the work of Stephenson and Pease.

It was written especially for the performance by Tom Hughes the musical director behind Darlington's production.

One of the town's main industries communication was the central theme and was well explored by the children who had come up with most of the ideas for the show themselves.

They began whispering, passing on messages, before bringing it more up to date with the dance using mobile phones, sign language and semaphore flags as props.

Arousing response from the 500-strong audience followed, with the children looking rightly pleased with themselves.

Julia Murray, artistic director of the production, said; "It went fantastically well.

"They have all worked very hard and only had four three-day rehearsals during the summer and a few weekend one.

"Many of the ideas came from the children themselves."

The day did belong to the children, who were chosen after the auditions to take part.

They came from many of the town's schools including Houghton Comprehensive, Carmel Roman Catholic Comprehensive, Hummersknott School, Branksome Comprehensive, Hurworth Comprehensive, Longfield Comprehensive, Whinfield Junior School, Rise Carr Primary School, Mowden Junior School, Corporation Road Junior School, Darlington College of Dance, Croft Primary School, and Raventhorpe Primary School.

The children all said they were exited to be in London. James Garbutt 12, of Eastbourne Comprehensive who sang the folk song said: "It is a lovely song and really relaxing.

"I wasn't nervous because I have performed in front of 2,000 people at Butlins before.

"I sing a lot but this is different for me because I normally sing Freddie Mercury and Queen stuff."

Richard Scott, 14, of Hummersknott School said: "It's been great. We were a bit nervous when we were looking out from the wings and we were trying to psyche ourselves up for it but we thought it went very well. Staying in London has been very exciting."

Laura Tarelli, 16, of Darlington College of Dance said: "It's been very exciting for all of us mainly because it is such a big venue and Kirsty Cambell, 15, of Longfield Comp added: "It's been really good fun and we got to perform it three times."

Among those who watched the performance were the town's mayor Coun Dorothy Long, and the town's MP Alan Milburn who went back stage to congratulate the children.

He said: " I thought they were fantastic . The kids were full of imagination and full flair and it's brilliant to see that. It's great to see the young people of Darlington given the opportunity to express themselves.

"Kids often get a bad time in the way they are perceived but this was Darlington young people at their best. "They spoke for themselves and for the whole town."

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College provided art work representing the town which greeted visitors and the McDonald's Our Town stage where the children performed.

Visit the Dome online.