STUDENTS from Cirencester Deer Park raised the roof and a lot of cash during their Children in Need Talent Show.

A total of 66 acts entered this year's fundraising event, with 28 acts making it through to the final and raising a fantastic £2,500 for the children's charity.

With strong solo performances, group acts and creative dances, the programme was packed and varied.

However, judges picked Year 10 students Gabe Stone and Matt Owen for the overall prize with their performance of their own composition Music Box. Helen Brown shared the Key Stage 4 prize for her innovative acoustic arrangement of Flaws with a group of Year 11 girls, Ella Brown, Ellen Lawford, Ester Hood, Holly Gimmler, Kira Kyne and Rachael Cannon.

Year 8 pupil Tabitha Windle-Hartshorn, secured the Key Stage 3 prize with her version of Skinny Love and Kieran Wint won the award for originality for his creative performance of his own composition on the drums.

Chiquita Henson said: "We cannot underestimate the confidence it takes to perform live in front of such a large audience. I know many of the pupils have been practising for a long time. I am very impressed by the quality of their performances and the tremendous support they have received from the audience. They are all winners."

The following pupils were commended for special mention by the judges: Year 7, Henry Snowball for his performance of Marry You, Adam Dundas-Gray and Kate McGrath for their joint performance of Ed Sheeran's The A Team, and Year 11's Emma Hollis for Skyfall and Kate Binnersley for Youth.

The unsung heroes of the event included the House Band (Ella Brown, Kieran Wint, Tom Sandilands, Rudy Percival, Connor MCCabe and Beanie Rausch) who between them accompanied a number of the contestants and played a range of music.