HUNDREDS of children gathered to sing their hearts out at a special spring music event, which took on greater significance in the wake of Monday’s terror attack in Manchester.

Primary school pupils from across Bury gathered in Clarence Park to play their part in Greater Manchester Music Hub’s ‘Singing in the Park’ event, which involved singing a specially-written song at exactly the same time as other children in different locations across the city region.

The idea of the event, held on Tuesday afternoon, was to enable all children across the area, including the most vulnerable, to enjoy music-making which promotes self-confidence, ambition and achievement.

Gemma Price, from Bury Music Service, part of the GM Music Hub, said the event was a poignant one in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing, which left at least 22 people dead.

Many who attended the Ariana Grande concert were children and teenagers, some as young as the primary school pupils singing in the park.

Ms Price said: “It was a lovely afternoon and a real tonic to events that happened on Monday night. We were lucky to have everyone singing together and to know it was happening all over Greater Manchester.

“It was a tribute to those who had been at the Manchester Arena the night before, and a chance to say that we are all standing together.

“Things like this can bring people together and celebrate togetherness in Greater Manchester.

“On social media afterwards we could see all the other schools who had done it as well, which was really nice to see. Knowing that everybody was singing the same song, at the same time, on the same day, was quite special. We thought long and hard about whether it was right to go ahead with the event, but in the end we felt it was a fitting tribute.”

Ms Price said although most of the children simply enjoyed the singing and sunshine, the event was “more powerful” and emotional for parents. The schools involved were Mersey Drive Primary in Whitefield, Sunny Bank Primary, Gorsefield Primary in Radcliffe, Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Trinity Primary, both Bury, and Fairfield Primary. This year’s challenge celebrated parks and open spaces, championing their benefits for health, recreation and community spirit.