Every summer 700 boys and girls put down pens and pencils, pick up violins, cellos, recorders and song books and make their way to the Town Hall. This is the time of the Reading Schools' Music Festival when the music makers -none older than 11-entertain music lovers of all ages.

The town is proud of its musical children: one child in four is learning to play a musical instrument. The house is always packed with the critical parents of Reading, who have come to expect an outstandingly high standard. This is the 25th year of the Festival - the first time ever on television.