THE stars came out to launch Bedford High School's new radio station with a sell-out performance.

The Lil' Chris-Tmas National Tour swung by the award-winning Leigh school with some special guests on board to make sure the night went with a bang.

Topping the bill was 23 year-old Lil' Chris Hardman, who shot to fame following a stint of Channel 4 talent show Rock School.

He said: “It's been a fantastic night. The crowd has been awesome and the venue is brilliant. It is as good as some of the professional venues we have played at and I would love to come back and play here again.”

The singer and TV star was joined by former X-Factor contestants Giles Potter, Tom Mann and Jake Quickenden and rising star Lloyd Wilkinson.

They had also come to Bedford to support the school's new on-campus radio station BedfordRadio.

The station has been developed and will be run by the students and will be broadcast each break and lunchtime to popular school venues such as the school bistro.

Chris and the gang took time out from their sound checks to meet the team behind the station before going on-air for interviews with the students.

Chris said: “What the kids are doing here with the radio station is great. I'm really glad they asked me and the other performers to get involved. What we have tried to show them tonight is a little bit more about the media and entertainment business and how it can be accessible to them.”