A LOCAL primary has turned kids into recording stars after they made and released their very own CD.

Family and friends of the St Thomas' Primary in Neilston were treated to renditions of all the classic Christmas carols including Away In A Manger and Jingle Bells as youngsters launched their festive CD.

The launch, also attended by representatives of the council's education department, saw pupils belt out yuletide songs from their CD to a packed hall of Christmas revellers.

The school's fundraising team came up with the idea of recording a Christmas album after looking for fun filled ways to generate more cash for their playground regeneration initiative.

The project, which would see a derelict and waterlogged piece of ground at the back of the school drained and turned into an outdoor classroom and multi age group games area, is something the school is desperate to press ahead with, and have decided to use their initiative to raise the extra funding needed to carry out the project.

Noreen McHugh, from St Thomas' PTA said: "The PTA has been looking to revamp this piece of ground for ages - it's a huge space, and we have so many exciting ideas, but it's all about getting the money together for them.

"The pupils love to perform, and parents love to hear their kids sing, so we decided to make a Christmas carol CD to raise some cash. It was a great success, and the orders continue to pour in." Pupils made the CD, on which every class sings a track with a live band, at Standing Stone Studios in Barrhead after local man and owner Colin Cameron offered them recording space.

A massive success, its first run of 100 sold out within a few days, and staff are hoping they'll sell twice that many in the next few months - having received order forms in bundles from family and friends.

CDs cost £5, with £3 of that going to the playground regeneration fund, and are available from Kate by calling 07507433824.

The school would like to thank local musicians who gave up their time to help record the CD, and also Almond Blossom who supplied the balloons for the launch event.