THESPIANS of the future stood side-by-side with a world-renowned star to perform a variety of musical numbers.

Youngsters at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Haslingden had the chance to sing with singer Sean Ruane while they performed ‘The Sound of St Mary’s’.

The pupils sang musical items from The Lion King, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Cats, Oliver! and Les Miserables.

The Lime Road school is aiming to raise more than £1,500 for Bury Hospice, in memory of the headteacher Donna McNicoll’s mother Maureen.

Magdalena Howarth, nine, dressed in a cat costume, said: “I have really enjoyed the dancing.

“I’m really excited to perform in front of everyone.”

Ellie Smith, seven, who played, said: “I was the first to go on stage so I was really nervous before hand.

“But I really liked singing.”

Mr Ruane, originally from Bacup, has travelled across the world thanks to his career.

He has sung the the national anthem at international football matches, FA Cup matches and cricket Test matches.

Mr Ruane has regularly visited the school to support them in a variety of performances.

He said: “It’s great coming back here to see all the pupils and teachers.

“The children are always excited to see me and I really enjoy performing with them.

“Their enthusiasm for singing is great and it’s just as good performing with them as it is performing with anyone in the world.”

Mrs McNicoll said: “The performance is a chance for the children to be exposed to the theatrical world for the first time.

“A lot of the children had never heard of some of the songs before but now they want to go and see the shows, which is a good thing.

“One of the children’s grandmothers, Barbara Molly, spent weeks making the costumes, they are incredible.

“We’re so pleased Sean could come down, he’s very talented.”