PUPILS are singing the praises of Inverclyde Music Festival as organisers prepare for what’s expected to be a record-breaking 2016 for the contest.

Students from Notre Dame High and Whinhill Primary proudly displayed some of the silverware they won at the fortnight-long event back in January and they are eager to compete once again.

The countdown is now on for entries ahead of the two-week extravaganza, which organisers say could be one of the biggest in the festival’s 101-year history.

There will be added emphasis on the Scots language and country dancing alongside the always-popular singing games competitions, solo, group and instrument sections.

Former Aileymill Primary School head teacher Isabel Lind is president of the festival organising committee.

Mrs Lind said: “We are indebted to the work of the secondary schools and teachers as well as the primaries.

“We’re trying to give the festival an extra push this year — incredibly there are still some folk in the town who don’t know about it.

“We’re working with the education department to promote the country dancing — it’s a good way of exercising and the children enjoy it.

“It has disappeared from many festivals, so we will have a big programme to support country dancing.

“We also want to ensure more good entries for the Scots language singing sections.

“Last year for the first time we also had a singing games extravaganza which ran before the festival started.

“We want to do that again — but we need entries in.

“We’re hoping it will be one of the most packed festivals in years.” One of the most successful schools at this year’s event was Whinhill Primary, with pupils amassing a huge haul of trophies and awards, including in the Gaelic categories.

Head teacher Liz Ruddy is a big supporter of the festival and says it has such a positive impact on her students that she makes sure everyone from the nursery class right through to P7 is involved.

Mrs Ruddy said: “Every single child in our school participates in the festival because it’s a really important local event.

“It’s also a way for us to ensure all our children get the chance to develop creative and performance skills.

“Every child will be involved again from nursery right through.” Festival organisers hope to have a massive amount of entries for the 2016 showpiece — but they are also keen to bring more sponsors on board to help keep the hugely-popular event a permanent fixture in the Inverclyde calendar.

Mrs Lind said: “We’re upping our game this year and looking for more sponsors.

“It costs over £25,000 to run the festival each year — people don’t realise that.

“Our constitution also says we have to have enough money in the bank account for next year, so it’s a struggle.

“We don’t want to rest on our laurels.” Interested sponsors can contact Donnie McDonald on 705844.

The closing date for festival entries is 11 October and full details are available in all local schools.

Inverclyde Music Festival 2016 starts on Monday 25 January and will run until Saturday 6 February.