Some 400 performers at 24 schools across the district will be the stars of TV institution Songs of Praise tomorrow.

Pupils from Catholic primary and secondary schools in Bradford will perform a wide range of choral pieces, alongside the elite Bradford Youth Choir (BYC), in a programme pre-recorded at Leeds Cathedral.

A BBC team spent a day filming youngsters as they performed six songs alongside former schoolboy singing sensation, Aled Jones.

Each was specially-chosen to underline the programme's theme, "Special Gifts".

Youngsters at 20 primary schools and four secondary schools, Yorkshire Martyrs in Tong, Holy Family in Keighley, St Joseph's and St Bede's in Heaton, took part.

Choirmaster Chris McElroy, 29, also assistant director of music for the Diocese of Leeds, said: "It was a very enjoyable and thrilling experience for all the children. They are, of course, not used to being on TV so they will get a taste of what it is like to be a film star!

"Although, I think they realised it is not all about glamour as they had to work hard on the day. Each piece took about 40 to 50 minutes to record. The children had to sing each song several times to allow for each camera angle and to make sure they had the right mouth shape. I hope it will look good on the television. About four million people are expected to tune in."

Fifteen-year-old Bonita Rimmer, a pupil at Keighley's Holy Family Catholic School, said filming the programme had been "nerve-wracking but fun". She said: "I am a bit nervous about watching it but am also looking forward to it.

"It was hard to look at the camera and it was important to make the right mouth shape to help us sing better."

Anne Cockshot, 11, also a pupil at Holy Family, said: "It was good but hard work!"

Pieces set to feature in tomorrow's programme include a choral piece based on the story of the three kings, a Gloria, written by Stuart Thompson, former musical director at Leeds Cathedral, and a song written by American composer Moses Hogan.

The Diocese of Leeds, which runs Catholic schools throughout Bradford, hosts the largest youth singing programme in the country. Each week, music teachers lead choir practice sessions at schools and run the BYC.

This year promises to be a fruitful one for the choir. In July, members will travel to the Llangollen International Musical Eisted- dford, a world-renowned festival of music, song and dance, which has previously featured opera singers Luciano Pavorotti and Placido Domingo. They will also tour France in the summer and have recently released a CD, Jubilate Deo.

"With all the children we have singing in Bradford we want the city to become the choral capital of England!" said Mr McElroy.

Songs of Praise will be aired tomorrow at 4.40pm on BBC1.