YOUNGSTERS from a west Dorset school have been busy recording a song to raise money for charity.

Pupils at Loders Primary School have been showing off their musical talent as they create their version of Bruno Mars track, Count On Me, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The charity song was the idea of parent Jen Burden.

She said: "We felt like doing something for the school and something for the children to be involved in.

"We thought we would raise money for Macmillan as there have been quite a few cases of people using the charity quite recently in the village.

"The kids are all coming down in small groups to record their parts.

"We are hoping to release it as a CD and as a digital download, and we are looking at getting it played on the radio. Who knows what might happen after that? We might be looking at the next big stars."

The song is being recorded at the Shooting Gallery Studio in Loders. The studio doesn't officially open for business until September, but producers Paul Bedford and Rosie Smith are helping the youngsters record their creation.

Paul said he was been blown away by how talented the pupils have been.

"There is very little opportunity for kids who are musical to spend time in a studio without paying through the teeth for it," he said.

"We were very keen for all the kids to come in for some studio time. It's very difficult to get them all in, so it has been great to have them in little groups, so they can all have a go.

"I have been absolutely astonished by how talented some of them are. I have recorded far worse professional musicians. Every part of the song has been altered to allow the kids to put their own stamp on it."

The recording will be completed by the end of term next week, before it will be produced and mastered - with the song hopefully being ready by August.

The song, Count On Me, was chosen as it relates to the ethos of friendship at the school.

Jen said: "The lyrics really summed up how everyone at the school felt.

"If you listen to it, it is just about friendship and being nice to everyone and it really felt like the perfect song.

"We are also currently looking for a local business to sponsor the production part of the process."

A fundraiser will take place at the Loders Arms in August, and the organisers are hoping to either have the song available to buy, or people will be able to pre-order a copy for when it is completed.