HUNDREDS of children from schools across the county have raised the roof at Town Hall over the past three nights for Christian Aid.

More than 800 youngsters from 31 primary schools belted out Christmas Carols at Oxford Town Hall earlier this week for the ninth annual Big Christmas Sing.

It is hoped the concert - which came to an end last night - will raise more than £20,000 to go towards the charity's work tackling poverty around the world.

Christian Aid regional co-ordinator Anwen Holmes said: "It went really well, we put on an extra night this year due to popular demand and the number of schools that were keen to get involved.

"It was completely sold out and definitely our biggest year yet.

"We had around ten schools each night and so many children on stage singing a variety of traditional and modern Christmas songs."

Family and friends supported their loved ones in the Town Hall and councillors from all over the county came along to support schools in their area as the Christmas period began in earnest.

Children performed their favourite Christmas songs in their schools before rounding off each night with all the schools on stage for a finale of 'Tree of Light' and 'Good Time Christmas'.

The fundraiser has been organised for the past nine years by Oxfordshire County Music Service - run by the county council.

Head of the service Angela Turton said: "Schools from across Oxfordshire sang extremely well, each school contributing a song of their own choice.

"These performances gave a wonderful opportunity for children as young as 5 years old, to perform on a large scale with 200 children.

"What an experience they had. I overheard both children and parents explain how some pupils had been scared at the thought of singing at such a big occasion, but how they rose to the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the experience."

She added: "Mums, dads, grandparents and siblings joined in the singing of audience carols and particularly raised the roof with Twelve Days of Christmas, which was great fun."

Liz Stock, co-ordinating the project for the Oxfordshire County Music Service, said: "This is the ninth year we have worked in partnership with Christian Aid to promote this event.

"The Oxford Town Hall is a lovely venue and as places are always in great demand so an extra night was planned for this year.

"Last year more than £2,000 was raised - and we are hoping that more than £20,000 will have been raised across the nine years by the end of this year's event."