A MUSICAL festival involving thousands of youngsters from the borough kicks off tonight with a series of performances in a Finchley theatre.

The Barnet School's Music Festival is now entering its tenth year and features more than 2,000 youngsters from primary, secondary and special schools across Barnet.

It kicks off this evening and there are performances each night until Thursday, June 24, then from 28-30 June at artsDepot in Tally Ho Corner, Finchley.

Individual schools will sing their own songs each night and the event culminates in a choir of 300 pupils singing tunes from a range of genres and cultures.

Councillor Andrew Harper, who is in charge of schools in the borough, said: “We are extremely lucky in Barnet to have a great wealth of musical talent amongst our schoolchildren, nurtured by the skill and commitment of our excellent teaching staff.

"This follows the spectacular Barnet One Voice concert in April when 1,500 children performed at the Royal Albert Hall.

“Barnet's music festival is a wonderful way of showcasing the musical flair of our children across the borough and I am really looking forward to hearing them perform.”

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Box Office on 020 8369 5454.