FOR most people, the thought of singing on the stage of a multi-million pound concert hall in front of 500 people would be completely terrifying.

But little Sam Loose did just that – and the fearless youngster has not even started school yet.

Sam, who is just four-years- old, took to the stage at the recently opened Apex venue, in Bury St Edmunds, to sing Christmas favourite Away in a Manger to a packed out audience.

His solo performance was part of a charity concert organised by West Road Church in the town, which was put together by music teacher Barry Metcalfe.

The charity event – which raised �1,200 for St Nicholas Hospice Care – included orchestral pieces, carol singing and the top three entries of a competition in which entrants were asked to condense the entire story of the nativity into a 90-minute video.

But of all the performances on Sunday night, Sam’s solo stole the show and was hailed as a “highlight” by the organisers.

And yesterday it was confirmed that Sam had become the youngest person “by far” to have performed at the Apex, which only opened its doors to the public two months ago.

Speaking from the family home, in Constable Road, Bury, Sam’s mother Lucy said she and her husband John were very proud of their talented son.

“Sam did very well,” said Mrs Loose. “He was not nervous at all, he just enjoyed being at the front of everyone in the hall.”

Sam will join the reception intake at Westgate Primary School in the new year.

Simon Ladd, senior leader at West Road Church, was full of praise for the youthful singer .

He said: “With astonishing confidence, and more than a fair bit of tunefulness, little Sam sang Away in a Manger to the gathered audience of around 500 people extremely well.

“The acoustics in the hall are amazing and the quality of the orchestra was amazing too.”

Lynsey Alexander, cabinet member for culture and sport at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which owns and runs the Apex, was delighted the show had gone so well.

She said: “The West Road Church performance on Sunday showed how well the new venue works for community events.

“At just four-years-old, Sam is by far the youngest person to have appeared on the Apex stage.

“It is an experience that he has now shared with world famous artists like Julian Lloyd Webber. Sam’s performance was equally memorable too.”

West Road Church is already planning to hold a repeat event next year, on the evening of Friday, December 18.