CHOIRBOYS from Ascot have had 'the tour of a lifetime' after a trip to perform in Rome.

Students from Papplewick School took the trip overseas at half-term and under the direction of director of chapel music Chris Goodwin sang Masses at St Peter’s, Santa Maria Maggiore and the Pantheon.

Students also managed to fit in visits to Rome’s top attractions such as the Colosseum and the Trevi fountain plus time to try out the local delicacies including local pizza, pasta and gelato.

Headmaster Tom Bunbury said: "I am so proud of the immensely high standard of our Choirs here at Papplewick, and for the boys to have had this fantastic opportunity to sing in these wonderful churches in Rome will no doubt be etched on their memories for ever."

The group of 20 choirboys prepared a varied repertoire ranging from plainsong, through Baroque and nineteenth-century music, to contemporary sacred anthems for the performances.