TOTS from a Bury nursery sang their hearts this week out as the town's newest recording stars.

A choir of about 30 youngsters from Castlecroft Day Nursery at Castlecroft Road in Bury town centre, all aged between two and four, performed three festive songs for a fund-raising CD to be released for Christmas.

Proceeds will go to the nursery, which caters for children up to the age of four, to pay for things like toys for the children and for their Christmas party.

Rachel Buckler, a nursery officer at Castlecroft and a singer, keyboard player and songwriter, came up with the idea and penned the three pieces of music.

She said: "It went extremely well. It is a lot to expect that a group of children will sit still and be patient. But they responded to the songs and did a really good job. I was delighted with them. They sang beautifully." The songs were recorded live on the day and will now be professionally mixed down by Clive Davenport, a contact of Rachel's from the music industry.

In keeping with the professional way in which the CD is being produced, it has been given an official release date.

Copies will be on sale at £5 each at a festive fun morning to take place at Castlecroft on December 8.

Rachel explained: "I have been involved in something like this before and thought it would be a good idea for Castlecroft. I think parents will enjoy the sound of their own children singing."

Rachel invited David Hutchinson (15), a Year 11 pupil at St Gabriel's RC High School in Bury, to take part in the project.

She added: "The verses in one of the songs are written as a rap and David came in to sing those. He did a very good job and the children chimed in to sing the choruses.

"St Gabriel's were very enthusiastic about getting involved. Like us they thought a project involving a high school and a pre-school establishment was a good partnership and an effective community link."

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