MERRY Hill’s annual Christmas choir competition got underway this week - with youngsters from across the borough battling it out for a chance to win money for their school.

Fifty Black Country schools are taking part in the mammoth two-week competition which culminates in a live final at the shopping centre on Friday December 11.

Choirs - comprising pupils aged seven to 11 - will be judged on the quality of their performance, originality, enthusiasm and enjoyment factor.

Winners will be crowned in four categories - best choir, best performance, best costume and best newcomer - and they will each walk away with £1,000 for their school.

Emma Hindes, Merry Hill centre manager, said: “This is the ninth year we have run the Christmas choir competition and we have 50 schools taking part this year which is incredible.

“It’s great for the children to be able to sing in front of a live audience and who knows where it might lead. It’s a fantastic opportunity and it’s great to see the smiles on their faces.”

Heats are being staged at Fountain Square on the lower mall near M&S from 10am every weekday until Wednesday December 9 (from 12.05pm on Tuesday December 1 and Tuesday December 8).

The live finals will be staged from 9am to 4pm on Friday December 11 - ahead of a presentation for the winners, taking place from 4pm to 6pm.