Children around the county raised their voices to help with a record bid to get the most people singing one song at the same time.

Members of the Cheney School Choir in Headington, Oxford, and Didcot Girls’ School were among more than 500,000 schoolchildren across the nation who sang along to Des’ree’s You Gotta Be simultaneously at an event on Thursday.

As well as an attempt to break a Guinness World Record, it was a fundraising event, with sponsorship money being raised for cancer charity Clic, Macmillan Nurses and Youth Music.

It is not yet known if the record to get the most people singing the same song simultaneously was beaten, as every group of singers had to have their efforts witnessed and the information sent to adjudicators.

Cheney School head of music Emma Jordon said: “The kids really enjoyed it and they knew all the words, so I think it was very successful.

“I think it was good for bringing the choir together and raising money for charity at the same time, and putting themselves into the community a little bit.”

Sixteen children from across the school, took part. Emma Stone, 11, from Cowley, said: “I was happy to be here and contribute towards raising money for charity. I really liked the song.”

Gemma Trafford, 12, from Barton, said: “It has been a fun experience and I have enjoyed every minute. “It’s for a good cause which makes it even more special.”

Rosa Swarbrick, 13, from New Hinksey, said: “Being part of the Big Sing has brought our choir together as a community.”

The choir took part in the event from their own school hall, accompanied by hundreds of schools across the country.

They were led by Des’ree, who sang the song accompanied by about 7,000 children at London’s O2 arena, with all the schools being linked together by a radio broadcast of the O2 performance.

The pupils, based at the Cheney Lane school, collected more than £50 for the three causes. Cheney’s choir was created at the beginning of the school year in September.

Miss Jordan said: “This will hopefully be the start of many great things for them.”

They will be performing at the school’s Christmas concert next month, which will be their first major public performance as a choir.