BUDDING composers from a school near Winchester have scooped top prize in a county-wide music competition.

Youngsters from John Keble Primary School in Hursley will sing their award-winning Christmas carol at Winchester Cathedral next month.

The school’s creation, Jesus Was Born Tonight, won Hampshire Music Service’s competition to compose a Christmas song. Its other carol, I See Snow, came fourth.

Head teacher Nikki Young said: “The children had many wonderful ideas and each song created was truly original, capturing the emotion and spirit of this special time of year. “They worked incredibly hard on this project and we are all delighted and very proud that their efforts have been awarded and celebrated in this way.”

Year 5 and 6 children from the school, aged between nine and 11, split into small groups to write the songs and then music teacher Marion Maxey converted their melodies into music.

Pupils will sing Jesus Was Born Tonight — which was written by Jonathan Victoria, Jason Symons, Tom Kelly and Max Hopkins-Manceri — at Winchester Cathedral on December 5 as part of a special schools concert.

All songs created by the youngsters will be available to buy on CD at the school’s Christmas bazaar on Saturday, November 22.