PUPILS from numerous local schools displayed their singing and dancing talents at Voices and Visions 2005.

The festival's seventh year was a celebration of the outstanding commitment to creativity and the arts in Worcestershire schools.

The Malvern Theatres was a fitting backdrop for the hundreds of children aged five to 16 who wowed the capacity audiences.

Dance was the theme of Friday's extravaganza when boys from Simon de Montfort Middle School were first on stage.

Gwen Stefani was the backing for the 13 to17-year-old girls from Prince Henry's High School, while some of the dancers from Abbey Park First School were as young as six.

It must have been a daunting experience for the youngsters, who had put in hours of practice for their moment of fame in front of their friends and families.

Two nights earlier, Badsey First School had entertained the audience in song and they were joined in the Music Showcase part of the festival by the Pershore High School Band who only formed last October.

This year's showcase saw Simon de Montfort and Pinvin CE First School as the opening two acts. Abbey Park Middle School brought the opening half to a close with an extract from this year's school production, while the aptly named Teechers gave Evesham High School pupils the chance to show their talents after the interval.

The key to the festival is to enjoy it, and you could tell the performers did just that.

Review by MERVYN COLLINS