JUST hours before they went on stage in front of an audience of friends, family and members of the public these schoolchildren put the final touches to their performance.

They are among 500 taking part in this year's Big Christmas Sing, which will raise money for Christian Aid.

After this rehearsal today they performed for real and their peers from other primary schools in the county will do it all again tomorrow night.

It is the eighth year of the event, with previous concerts raising a total of £14,000 for the charity.

This year there will be an opportunity to support Christian Aid's Christmas Appeal, which focuses on the work of the charity's partners tackling malaria in Nigeria.

Christian Aid regional coordinator in Oxford Anwen Holmes said: "The Big Christmas Sing is a great occasion for all the family, and we’re very excited to be running it over two nights again this year.

"With all the hard work the children have put in, we are sure it will be a fantastic festive concert.

"Malaria is a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with approximately 250,000 children dying every year.

"Christian Aid partners in Nigeria are working hard to teach communities how to protect themselves from malaria by providing long-lasting insecticide treated nets and ensuring they are used correctly."

Both concerts feature a host of festive songs and a massed choir finale and money raised will be matched pound-for-pound by the Government.

Pupils also performed classic carols which their friends and family in the audience were able to sing along to.

Liz Stoke, of Oxfordshire County Music Service which helps organise the event, said: "This promises to be a fantastic event to get families in the Christmas spirit, as well as raise some money for a very worthy cause

"The show just gets better each year and Oxford Town Hall is a lovely venue for it."

There are limited spaces remaining for members of the public.

To buy tickets, which cost £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children and concessions call 01865 816978 or purchase them on the door.

Tomorrow night's concert starts at 6.30pm.