A MUSICAL group set up just last term at Okehampton Primary School is having so much fun it has now swelled to around 25 regular members.

Okehampton Youth Chorus ?works? under the leadership of the Wren Trust musical director Paul Wilson ? but the emphasis is very much on having fun.

The children, all aged between eight and eleven, are learning the art of a-capella singing.

Paul said: ?It means singing without instruments. We always say there are two aims ? to really find your voice and to enjoy some games.

?It?s getting to be a very big group and we are hoping to develop it to do some performances too.?

Paul said the group, which gets together on Wednesday afternoons, is also uniquely lucky to have the help of some older students, Elaine Sampson, Gemma Lindsey and Gemma Hitchcock.

?It?s absolutely wonderful to have them. They don?t always come through pressure of other school work, but to have them coming voluntarily is great for the young ones,? said Paul.

?The group is fun, it?s different from school, we make our own rules.?

He said the group was hoping to perform at a county-wide Wren Trust event on April 5, which coincidentally was being held at Okehampton Primary School.

Okehampton headteacher Brian Cunningham said the school was ?very lucky? to have as enthusiastic a teacher as Paul.

Mr Cunningham said: ?We are delighted that we can offer our children this opportunity ? it?s great we have Wren Trust to support singing within the school.

?The standards they have achieved in such a short time are very impressive ? they seem to be going from strength to strength.?

Paul is pictured with members of the youth chorus.