THE last three finalists for the Eden Christmas Choir competition were chosen tonight in the third and final heat.

Two primary school choirs from Stokenchurch and Seer Green CofE breezed into the grand final along with St Augustine's Church Choir from High Wycombe.

Each act sung two songs, one a traditional Christmas ditty and one of their own choice.

The choir from Stokenchurch wowed the judging panel with their versions of 'Disco Beat' and 'Silent Night' – made even more impressive by the fact auditions were only held four weeks ago.

They were one of two groups consisting of seven to eleven-year-olds, with Seer Green CofE School taking their place in the final thanks to their renditions of the Beatles hit 'Penny Lane' and carol favourite 'Ding Dong Merrily On High'.

St Augustine's Church Choir were the final act to secure a final place, singing 'The Rhythm of Night' and Holy Night'.

They were selected ahead of St Peter's Catholic Primary School from Marlow, High Wycombe's Hamilton Primary School choir, the Becky High Singers from Beaconsfield High School, and Village Voices, the second Seer Green group in the heat.

Judging tonight's heat were the Eden Centre marketing manager Nick Warren, Sharon Wingrove, the sales executive of radio station Mix 107, and Anita Ross-Marshall, chief photographer for the Bucks Free Press.

While the judges deliberated over their choices, the crowds were entertained by a band from the High Wycombe Sea Cadets.

Tonight's winners will join all-female group Amersham A Capella, the Vocal Performance Academy from Gerrards Cross, Chesham male barbershop group Knights of Harmony, the Sir William Borlase’s School gospel choir from Marlow, and St Louis Catholic Primary from Aylesbury in the final at Eden on Saturday December 13 between 2-4pm.

The top contestants will scoop the grand prize of £2,000, with runners-up prizes of £500 and £250 also up for grabs.