Children singing Christian rhymes

The song is the title track for an animated version of the Christmas story, It's a Boy, which a Littlehampton organisation hopes to distribute to every primary school in the country in October.

Recording took place at Wickbourne Chapel, Littlehampton on Saturday, with a 50-strong choir of children aged from five to teenagers, led by Jenny Oliver, who is involved with the children's worship at Arun Community Church.

"It sounds really good, and it's very exciting for the children to be part of such a big project, and especially with Cliff taking part," said Jenny.

Entertainers Cannon and Ball, comedian Joe Pasquale and television actors including Graham Cole and Chris Simmons, both from The Bill, provide the voices for the cartoon characters in the video, which is similar in style to Shrek.

It's a Boy is the brainchild of Littlehampton-based evangelist Steve Legg, whose organisation, the Breakout Trust, is co-ordinating the project.

Originally written as a Christmas musical for schools to stage as an alternative nativity, with lyrics by songwriter Mick Gisbey, of Southfields Road, Littlehampton, and music by Simon Goodall, from Durrington, the video version will, Steve hopes, reach an even greater audience.

"We have launched a special appeal to fund this and so far have 30,000. That has paid for the animation, some visuals from which we have just received and which look fantastic. But now we need another 40,000 from our supporters so we can send the video to all 35,000 primary schools in the country.

"It is so important to communicate the Christmas message in this way, when you consider there are generations of children now who don't know the story.

"Recently, I heard of a little boy who was told the Christmas story the first time in his primary class.

He sat transfixed as he listened to his teacher as she explained the nativity story. But afterwards, he asked his teacher why Mary and Joseph named baby Jesus after a swear word. That really brought home to us the need for this project."

The children's enthusiasm for the video was matched by all the professionals taking part too, said Steve. "I was at a party the other week with a group of Christian entertainers and I asked Cliff if he would sing the song, which he was very happy to do. It was very well received and everyone was very encouraging."