A MAGICAL woodland tale of a daring mouse and a feared beast was brought to life before hundreds of Oxfordshire children.

Award-winning children's author Julia Donaldson, creator of The Gruffalo, joined pupils on stage in Oxford yesterday for a live singalong.

Tunes were taken from her songbook A Treasury of Songs, featuring original songs based on her stories Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo.

More than 900 youngsters from 28 schools learnt some of the songs and took part in three separate performances at the Centre for Music in Barton yesterday.

Jess Gray, central area manager for Oxfordshire County Council's Music Service, said it was a 'privilege' to welcome the celebrated author.

Children from primary schools from across the county enjoyed the singalong in front of a packed audience made up of fellow pupils, friends and family.

West Oxford Community Primary School, Bayards Hill Primary School and St Barnabas CE Primary School were among the Oxford schools to take part.