AS the city struggled to come to terms with the pain of the loss of youngsters in the Manchester bombing this week, the sound of children singing took on extra poignancy.

Pupils across Greater Manchester took part in a Singing In the Park event and schools in Bolton played their part to the full.

The performance by Horwich and Blackrod schools in Old Station Road Park was preceded by a minute’s silence, in tribute to the families affected by the events of Monday night.

The song performed was specially written for the event organised by Greater Manchester Education Hub and by the schools.

Written by Out of the Ark Music, Go to the Park was composed to celebrate the “beauty of our open spaces and the joy of singing and playing together”.

Before the start of the performance, attended by many parents and family members, a short speech prepared by Carolyn Baxendale, head of Bolton Music Service, was read out.

It said: “Thousands of children have been practising their song in preparation. We know that there are many families in our region who are suffering today due to the terrible events in Manchester, and would like to dedicate our special song to all those families who have been affected in some way.”

At 2.15pm children across Bolton burst into song in different parks, which also included Mytham Park in Little Lever and Queens Park, Bolton, as well as other green spaces.

Angela Ball, deputy of the head of Bolton Music Service, who was with the children, said: “It was very poignant. It was important for us to carry on for the young people.”

She added: “The children were fantastic, it is hard to to sing outside and they did well. We want children to get a sense of enjoyment out of singing.”

Headteacher of Horwich Parish CE Primary School, Alan Beedie, said: “The children sang beautifully, I am very proud of them. They have worked very hard.”

Deputy headteacher of St Catherine’s Primary School in Horwich, Andy Rigby said: “The children absolutely loved it. They were all playing together when they arrived and the song was about getting out in the fresh air to play.”

Isabelle Walton, aged 10, from Horwich Parish CE Primary School, said: “It was really good and I was excited about performing in the park. We have been rehearsing since March and would have come out even it had been raining.”

Sunil Ghosh, aged eight, added: “I t was a lot of singing with pupils from other schools, and I enjoy singing and I liked the song.”