TWO East Lancashire school choirs are to sing their hearts out and welcome Commonwealth Games athletes to the North West.

The Blackburn School Choir will join the choir at West End Community Primary School, Aspden Lane, Oswaldtwistle, to perform to three teams from the 72 competing nations as they arrive at the athletes' village in Manchester.

Each choir will sing in one of 24 welcoming ceremonies taking place from July 16 in the run-up to the official opening ceremony on July 25.

Organisers hope the performances will help create a friendly atmosphere in the village, while giving local children the experience of a lifetime.

They wanted to involve the whole of the North West and decided to invite one of the best choirs from each of the region's 22 education authorities. The two other performances are by Manchester schools.

The choirs' brief is to interpret and perform 'the Mancunian Way' -- a song composed especially for the event -- in their own way, to add colour to the Games.

Neither choir has heard the theme yet, but are anxious to get hold of the music and start practising.

West End headteacher Janet Aspinall said: "I believe it's a very catchy tune that you keep singing once you've heard. As soon as we get the song they will get practising and I am sure we will come up with something different.

"I think it's a wonderful idea to involve the children. There are 35 children in our choir, but I am sure we will take some extra. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Our children are known for being well-behaved and good singers so we were recommended, We don't hold that many concerts, but sing for the fun of it."

Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are delighted and honoured that youngsters from our choirs will represent the borough by singing at one of the welcome ceremonies."

Sue Woodward, creative director at the Commonwealth Games, said: "I hope the children will have a wonderful experience. We're sure that the Blackburn School Choir and West End Primary School will have lots of fun being part of these events and they will give our visiting teams a warm welcome.

"In the run-up to the official opening ceremony, the welcome ceremonies will create a friendly ambience and provide an inspirational start to the Games for athletes and guests alike."

The ceremonies will be conducted by the mayor of the athletes' village who will formally welcome the teams, present gifts and hoist flags. The school choirs will then perform 'the Mancunian Way'.