Pupils are the stars at Birmingham Symphony Hall

?Pupils were in fine voice and showed fancy footwork before a sell-out audience at Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

The Walsall Christmas Stars concert saw pupils from 39 Walsall primary schools split into two choirs for an afternoon and evening performance yesterday, attracting an audience of 4,000.

See more pictures from the event by clicking on the image on the right.

They performed alongside musical, drama and dancing groups from Forest Arts Centre,Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall, which organises the annual production.

Mike Parrott, centre head of arts and events, and one of the organisers, said: "I think the concert this year has been particularly exciting.

"It's taken three months to put together and they have been rehearsing for months."

The centre's Dance2gether group opened the show with an Elvis medley.

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College student Gavin Duffy, aged 14, of The Parkway, Shelfield,part of the group for two years, said: "I love it. You get so much adrenaline and the audience are great."

In the choir for yesterday evening's performance were pupils from St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Pelsall. They won the Walsall Key Stage 2 Choir of the Year title in June. Head Ros Hutchinson said: "For many of them it's the fourth time they've been here.

"They always enjoy it and the parents think it's a jewel to watch."

Mother-of-four Karen Lowe, 39, of Berryfields, Aldridge, watching son, Aldridge School sixth-form pupil Jamie Lowe, 16, play drums, said: "He always gets excited about it. I'm really proud of him." The concert was compered by BBC WM's Jenny Wilkes.