Schoolchildren in Ponthir helped break a world record by performing a specially written song in silence.

In total, 65 pupils and 12 teachers from Ponthir Church in Wales School used sign language to perform Sunshine in My Heart.

At 9.30am on Wednesday, they joined 12,000 other youngsters from around the UK and broke the Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously signing a song.

It was written by Afasic - a charity set up to help people with speech, language and communication impairments. The organisation organised the record attempt.

Head teacher Ceris Spooner has backed the charity ever since a teacher, Tina Davey, showed the children some sign language earlier in the year.

She thought the hand movements would make it a fun skill to learn and ordered some books on signing. She now starts every assembly with sign language and the children learn it in class.

She said: "Speaking, listening and communication are key parts of the national curriculum and sign language is a great, visual way of doing it.

"We have no deaf children here, but some with speech and language difficulties. It’s is a great way for children to appreciate the disabilities of others and their needs."

The children have been enjoying communicating without words. As well as singing in silence, they have been drawing pictures, using facial expressions and gestures to get their thoughts across.

They also took part in a sponsored silence on Wednesday. When sponsor money is collected, it will go to Afasic.

The previous world record for the most people simultaneously signing a song was 4,800 people.