MALMESBURY’S own "Fame" school is marking its first birthday with a new CD album of songs performed by the talented students.

The Saturday morning music academy, whose young stars have performed at WOMAD for the past three years, has also produced a teaching pack, Sing to Inspire that has already been snapped up by primary schools elsewhere in Wiltshire.

Angelique Martin, music co-ordinator at Malmesbury Primary School and co-founder of the academy, said: "We have founded Sing to Inspire to enthuse children and teachers to sing and create music within schools and the community.

"The pack has hopefully everything teachers will need, and we’ve included lots of tips and fun games to help teachers."

She joined forces with vocal tutor Birgitte Wymer to record the double CD, at Moonstone Studios in Burton Hill. It features 11 original songs, along with breathing and warm-up vocal exercises.

Derry Hill is one of the schools to try it out. Music teacher Helen Harris said the pack had changed the way her pupils approached music. "At their end of year assembly, the pupils sang two songs from the book. Their parents were delighted to see their change in attitude towards music."

Wiltshire Council’s education advisor Catharine Quirk added that the songs provided a strong link to important social and emotional aspects of learning in a relaxed and fun way.

More than 100 children attend the Saturday sessions at the primary school in Tetbury Hill to learn singing, dancing and for one-to-one instrumental lessons.

As well as a choir, orchestra and dance troupes, it boasts a Samba band, which led the children’s procession at WOMAD Charlton Park this year.

Log onto www.singtoinspire.com for more information on the CD.