A HALESOWEN school choir has scooped £1k after impressing judges in a competition.

Lapal Primary won the Best Performance accolade in intu Merry Hill's Little Voices Christmas Choir Competition at the centre last week.

More than 30 schools from across the West Midlands competed.

Lapal Primary headteacher Joanna Turner said: "It was brilliant.

"We won best choir last year, so we didn't think we would win again this year!

"We have a really strong and well established choir - I am so proud of them."

The children signed along to one song in Makaton, which is a sign language for people with conditions including Downs Syndrome.

The choir has a pupil with Downs in its ranks.

The £1k prize will be spend on new musical instruments for the Priory Road school.