FORGET those celebrity wannabes on The X Factor – and meet the budding stars of Kessingland.

When the village primary school began drawing up plans to to mark its 25th anniversary, it was decided that it should celebrate the milestone in musical style by showcasing its pupils' vocal talents. So, joined by their teachers, children have recorded some of their favourite songs for a CD.

The Kessingland School Stars album sees pupils and staff performing versions of Proud, Lean On Me and You Got a Friend in Me. Another of the tracks is a fun version of the tune, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, made famous by Tight Fit in the 1980s but which has been renamed In the Classroom, the Mighty Classroom.

Kessingland Primary music co-ordinator Sarah Smith said everyone had enjoyed making the album. 'Singing is part of our school day, and the CD gave the children an opportunity to share their talents with others,' she added.

It also features the artistic skills of 10-year-old Tallulah Owens, whose eye-catching artwork won a competition to design the cover. Tallulah said: 'I have dreamt of being famous, and this is sort of like my dream.

'It is quite nice being famous as you get to do photo-shoots like this. It took me about an hour-and-a-half to draw. I think it is very good to have won the competition.'

Kessingland Primary was officially opened in 1986 by the then Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Peter Nott.

Although pupil numbers have not changed radically since then, the site in Field Lane has had two major extensions.

Head Sally Brundle, who has been on the staff for 20 years, said the CD idea had proved a big success. She added: 'Everyone was very enthusiastic about recording a song, even the teachers.

'Kessingland Primary has also been a lovely school with fantastic pupils, and the CD and a book are building on that.'

A well as becoming budding pop-chart stars, every child in the 250-pupil school a wrote a poem, rap or short story for the book, called We Are Writers, to mark the silver jubilee.

Mrs Brundle said: 'It was a motivating, exciting and inspiring project which gave the children a real sense of purpose for their writing.'

Sales of the CD and the anniversary book will go towards funding eqiupment for the school. Copies are still available: call 01502 740223.