Hundreds of children joined in song for the culmination of a project which has gone global since launching in Suffolk two years ago.

Friday Afternoons, which began as part of centenary celebrations for Aldeburgh Music founder Benjamin Britten, closed in rousing style with 670 pupils joining the Big Sing, led by Pete Letanka and Paul Whittaker at Snape Maltings.

Across the country, and further afield, children sang original songs, specially commissioned by Aldeburgh Music and supplied free to schools, along with scores, lyrics, audio tracks, interactive resources, braille scores and signed videos.

The climax of the project, made possible by an Arts Council award, also featured talks by composer Nico Muhly and children’s writer Michael Morpurgo about the importance of music in their lives.

Four professional singers then performed the work of Britten Young Songwriter Competition winner, Cassie White.