Youngsters from 18 primary and secondary schools were joined at Magna tourist attraction in Templeborough by a 40-voice adult choir and a 10-piece band led by singers and musicians from an African project.

The colourful event was organised to help launch a new Creative and Media Diploma course, which will be available in Rotherham schools from 2009, and to promote collaboration and partnership.

The evening included a demonstration of African dance and drumming, performed by school-children who had been taking part in workshops organised as part of the Mbawula project.

And a variety of artwork on an African theme and created at St Bernard's School was on show to visitors.

Mbawula - Zulu for brazier, container of fire - was the brainchild of Paul Bartholomew, the former saxophonist and arranger with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Hazel Jones, of Rotherham Children's and Young People's Service, said: "Pupils and adults alike have really enjoyed the workshops and the event gave us a great chance to work together."

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