Around 750 young children starred on the stage at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, last week – and received standing ovations for their efforts.

The 17 Thurrock Junior Music Festival was on for two nights – Wednesday and Thursday 15 and 16 July – involving children from 26 schools and attracting sell-out audiences totalling around 1,100 people.

Different children on each night took part in the evening of singing and instrumental ensemble performances given by performers from the borough’s primary schools and organised by Thurrock Music Services.

Among the performances were songs from the shows - including When I Grow Up, Michael Jackson numbers such as Man In The Mirror; a 1960s medley; songs from the current charts including Hall of Fame and finishing with Roar.

Accompanied by a band’ made up of instrumental tutors from the Music Service, a current St Clere’s Year 11 pupil (James Green) on the drums, and a former Music Service pupil, Andrew Hornsby, who stepped in as a last minute replacement.

James Green, current holder of the Jen Browning award for outstanding contribution to music in Thurrock, performed as Guest Soloist on the Marimba.

Other instrumental items included steel pan performances by pupils from Belmont Castle Academy and Woodside Academy, and a guitar ensemble performance by pupils from West Thurrock Primary Academy.