Children from across the Wellingborough area have been taking to the stage this week as part of a series of four seasonal concerts at The Castle theatre in the town.

The concerts are organised every year by Wellingborough Rotary Club, which is keen to promote music in the town and encourage youngsters to get involved in school bands, choirs and groups.

About 825 young performers from 18 schools were due to take part during the four nights.

The concerts have included seasonal songs and carols, sung by individual schools and as a massed choir.

Each day involved pupils being taken to the theatre for morning rehearsals before the concert in the evening, with family, friends and members of the public filling the theatre for the final performance.

But this is not the only musical initiative the rotary club has been working on – it has offered donations to buy musical instruments for every primary school in Wellingborough, with 14 schools taking it up on the offer and receiving up to £500 each.

Rowan Gate and Victoria primary schools were two of the recipients.

Rowan Gate Primary School, in Finedon Road, Wellingborough which caters for special needs and disabled children, bought a button-activated keyboard, which allows disabled children to simulate playing a range of instruments.

Deputy headteacher Julia Coles said: "It has opened up music to all the children in the school, not just children who have got the skills to play instruments.

"Now children who may have physical or vision problems can play as well.

"We are very grateful because music is a great strength of ours, but we are always looking for ways to improve in that area."

Victoria Primary School, in Finedon Road, Wellingborough, used its £500 towards buying four keyboards for the children to play.

The last seasonal concert is taking place tonight starting at 7pm.

For more information or to buy tickets, priced £5, call The Castle box office on 01933 270007.