The chance to sing live with a pop star at a famous national arena is surely a dream for many children and teenagers.

And next year 5,000 young people will have the chance to live that dream when they take part in the Voice in a Million (VIAM) concert in London.

Schools across the country will be converging on Wembley Arena on March 12 for the concert which raises awareness for children who live in care across the world.

But for one Suffolk school taking part it will also give their students the chance to perform with a famous ex-pupil.

That’s because former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who used to go to Stoke College near Sudbury, has signed up to perform at the event which is now in its fifth year.

Matt was mentored by Adrian Marple who still teaches music to pupils at the school and heads up their music department.

After registering the school for a place at the VIAM concert a conversation between Matt and Mr Marple led to the idea of them teaming up, a notion supported by the event’s organisers.

Mr Marple said: “There was one school concert where he performed Jailhouse Rock and it was one of those moments where you sit up and realise something special has happened.

“He had a natural talent for performing, a real magnetism, and whenever he appeared on stage you could see everyone sitting up in their chairs.”

Excitement is now building for the children taking part who will perform to an audience of over 10,000.

As well as giving large groups of children the chance to sing at a professionally-managed event in a packed-out venue, VIAM gives talented individuals the opportunity to perform as soloists.

Since 2009 more than 50,000 children have taken part in a VIAM show and the organisations ultimate aim would be to gather one million voices together in one location.