The dulcet tones of a girls’ choir have won a place in the semi-finals of a national competition.

NChant, Rochester Grammar School’s senior choir, is working its way to the top in the BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year 2014 contest.

It is one of 12 school choirs from around the country who will go head to head to try to impress the judges on Sunday.

The judging line up includes Myleene Klass, a classically trained musician and singer as well as television presenter, and Suzi Digby the internationally renowned choral guru.

The BBC went to the Maidstone Road school last week to film NChant in rehearsals and interview the students and staff.

Carolynn Woodman, NChant’s choral director, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to sing in the semi-finals of this prestigious national competition.

“The girls are so committed to the choir and their hard work has been rewarded.

“This whole experience will be one that they and their families will never forget.

“We now need to focus on polishing our performance, so we give our best.”

If successful in the semi-finals the girls must go against two other senior choirs and sing an inspirational song one more time to the audience and judges.

One of the trio of choirs will then be named choir of the year 2014. The programme will be broadcast in May and schools from across the country will take part.