BUDDING Llanelli choristers are in the running to be crowned School Choir of the Year.

Ysgol y Strade's senior choir is one of only six from across the UK to reach the finals of the competition — now in its tenth year and recognised as one of the highlights of the Songs of Praise calendar — after making it through the preliminary rounds.

As the only Welsh representative in the finals, they will go head to head with others from Hertfordshire, Salisbury, Hereford, Leicestershire and Surrey to try to claim the coveted title this Sunday.

Head teacher Heather Lewis said: "I am delighted because they are a choir who practice regularly, are devoted to what they do and really enjoy it.

"They are a busy choir and as well as competing they do other concerts for good causes in the community, so it's great to see their success as they do a great deal.

"The choir's conductor Christopher Davies and Catrin Hughes, the accompanist for Cantata, also have great teamwork together and inspire the pupils to do well."

Aled Jones will present the BBC One competition, which will be aired on consecutive Sundays in April, as the schools try to impress judges David Grant, Suzi Digby and Russell Watson at the Lowry Theatre in Salford.

Meanwhile, in March, the choir will be travelling to Paris after receiving an invite to perform in the St David's celebration at Disneyland.

They will also be returning to Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July, to compete in a competition where last year they finished second in the senior children's choirs section.

Ms Lewis added: "Hope is given for our younger pupils when they see the success.

"It was quite an accolade that they got second place at Llangollen last year and it is great to see they are achieving."