YOUNG singers have struck a chord with a judge in a singing contest.

Pupils at Barnard Castle School, County Durham, performed in front of Newcastle Cathedral's master of music, Scott Farrell, in the annual house singing competition.

The honours were taken in the junior contest by Bowes House, which impressed Mr Farrell with its rendition of Get Happy.

Mr Farrell, a recitalist, teacher and composer, awarded the house 24 points, to claim the contest by a single point.

Mr Farrell said: "All the performances were very good and I really enjoyed them.

"Bowes' rendition provided a really good sound and was obviously a lot of fun to perform."

The competition is staged each year in front of a packed audience and tests the singing of the girls and boys in each of the school's seven houses.

As well as the junior contest, there were other sections, including three-part harmonies and the house unison songs, which have to be sung from memory.

The Coombs Cup for older pupils was also won by Bowes House.