YOUNG musicians from three Lakeland schools tasted life in the big time this week when they recorded with the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester and looked forward to cutting their first CD.

The 70 youngsters from primary schools in Ambleside, Coniston and Langdale have composed their own work to celebrate the Lake District National Park's 50th anniversary.

Working with story-teller Taffy Thomas and composer Barry Russell they have composed a piece which sets out to capture the sights and sounds of the Lake District.

The project also involves schools from the Manchester area, and the two groups of young musicians met in Manchester on Wednesday to record the piece with the BBC Philharmonic.

A shortened version will form part of the Blue Peter Prom, at the Albert Hall, on July 28, and the special family concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

This year's theme for the BBC Proms Festival is Town and Country and, with help from Taffy, the local youngsters have devised a story-line that involves the Lion and the Lamb and neatly contrasts the experiences of growing up in Manchester and in the Lake District.

Working with his young orchestra at Ambleside Primary School this week, composer Barry Russell said he wanted to leave them with the technical skills, after the experience of composing was over.

They had enjoyed a very lively and interesting time, he said.

"The gloss on the whole experience was recording with the BBC Philharmonic.

It will certainly look good on their CVs in a few years time!" said Barry.

The project was the idea of the Friends of the Lake District.

"It's a wonderful way to celebrate 50 years of the national park, using the voices and instruments of the generation that will look after it, and visit it, in the next 50 years," said Brenda Fishwick, education and events manager for the national park authority.