THE spirit of Christmas is alive and well at Leigh’s Bedford High School, thanks to an all-singing, all-dancing seasonal spectacular.

Parents, friends and community members enjoyed two hours of top class entertainment at the annual extravaganza.

Students from all year groups had been rehearsing for the Christmas concert for weeks to make sure their performances were pitch perfect on the big night.

More than 150 young people took part in the show, entitled The Magic Of Christmas, which was put together by the school’s arts faculty.

Head of expressive arts Janet Madden said: “The young people worked really hard to put on this performance.

“At Bedford we believe in giving our young people the experience of being part of a really professional production.

“It is open to everyone to get involved, regardless of their level of talent or ability.

“They performed the show a number of times to different sections of the community and over the course of the rehearsals we saw many of our students grow in confidence.

“We are all really proud of their efforts and achievements.”

Bedford’s brass band heralded a beginning to proceedings with a selection of festive favourites.

Next up were young musicians from St Gabriel’s year three ukulele band, backed by Bedford’s own year seven strummers.

Hot on their heels came Bedford’s dance club, talented young vocalist Courtney Clarke and the year seven cheerleaders.

The Secret Voices senior choir and the year 10 rock band closed act one with a selection of songs, including Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

There was more singing in act two from the Midnight Stars junior choir and a balletic display from the GCSE dance group.

Overseeing proceedings were presenters Keanu Libby and Abigail Holdsworth.

Keanu said: “It was exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking to get up in front of all those people, but I really enjoyed the experience.

“There were a lot of great performances.

“I think it is really important for our school to put on a show like this because it gives everyone the chance to showcase their skills and let the community see how talented we are.”

The year seven and eight drama group brought scenes from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl vividly to life.

Solo singer Holly Broadhurst took centre stage next before a riotous, show-stopping performance of the Twelve Days of Christmas from twins Piper and Sydney Hornsby and Megan Griffiths.

Sydney, 13, said: “It was great fun to be up on stage.

“We made everyone laugh and I think we really got them into the spirit of Christmas.”

Piper added: “It was a brilliant experience and we have learnt so many different new skills.

“I can’t wait for next year.”

The evening ended with the entire ensemble taking to the stage for a final festive vocal performance.

Head teacher Helen Phillips said: “Another fantastic performance from our young people which was really well supported by the local community.

“We believe in giving every student the ability to shine and the Christmas concert is just one of many events throughout the year that allows them to do this.

“We are all really proud of our young people.

“Christmas is about giving and sharing and our students have shown this by giving us all a showcase to remember.”