PUPILS at Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls have something to sing about the school's choir has been crowned BBC Radio 3 Youth Choir of the Year 2005.

Supporters of the St Catherine Singers leapt to their feet with whoops of delight as BBC Radio 3 Controller Roger Wright made the announcement to an audience of more than 1,000 people at The Lowry in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, February 20.

The St Catherine Singers' choristers went on stage to collect an award that conductor Lucy Bernays described as "the result of many long hours of rehearsals".

She said: "This is absolutely amazing. We are ecstatic, overjoyed and thrilled to have won. Taking part in the competition has been a tremendous experience for the girls.

"This is music-making at the highest level and to compete with such brilliant choirs is an excellent experience."

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year is recognised as the largest amateur choral competition in the UK and the final was the culmination of a year-long process which has seen more than 5,000 singers, making up more than 134 choirs, compete at 14 heats around the country.

Throughout the nationwide competition, almost 500 pieces of music have been performed, equating to almost 24 hours of solid singing.

At the final, six choirs, two from each of the children's, youth and adult categories, competed to become category winners. From these, The Oriel Singers from Cheltenham were recognised as the overall champions and awarded the top title, BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2005.

In addition to the title, The Oriel Singers will be awarded a commission for a new choral work sponsored by BBC Radio 3 and will go on to represent the UK in the European Broadcast Union's Let the People Sing competition.

In a new development this year, charity Youth Music, which is supporting the children's section, has made an additional award of a new commission to the winning Children's choir, The Methodist College Junior Choir, from Belfast.

Roger Wright, controller of BBC Radio 3, said: "I wish to extend my congratulations to all the winners and finalists on what has been a competition of the highest calibre."