A young choir has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing for worshippers at next month’s papal visit to Glasgow.

Primary six and seven pupils from Our Lady of the Missions (OLM) Primary School in East Renfrewshire will sing in the pre-event leading up to the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park on September 16.

Scots singer Michelle McManus and Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle have already been confirmed to sing at the event.

Around 40 youngsters from the Thornliebank Catholic primary will take to the stage at about 3pm before Pope Benedict XVI addresses the public in a Mass at around 5.30pm.

It is the first Papal visit since 1982 when Pope John Paul II held Mass at the same venue, and up to 100,000 people are expected to attend.

Choir leader and teacher Wendy Collins said she hopes the other performers at the event will enjoy the choir’s rendition of the Ninian Cantata.

She said: “Our group will certainly enjoy the popular performances by Michelle McManus and Susan Boyle, so I hope they in return listen to ours and enjoy it.

“The Papal visit is on the feast of St Ninian – September 16 – so I hope everyone enjoys the children telling the story of St Ninian through song.”

Mrs Collins believes the nine and 10-year-olds may be the youngest performers there.

She said: “I think the children are all a bit nervous as it’s such a massive event, but we are confident. It’s inspiring and wonderful to be involved: a real learning curve.”

The choir was asked to sing for the Pope following a performance at the Children’s Cantata at St Mungo’s Church in Glasgow in May which was seen by senior church officials.

Head teacher Charlie Jamieson said the school was “honoured and delighted” to be involved with the Papal visit.

He added: “We have a good tradition of music in the school and we have a lot of talented youngsters.

“It’s a bit daunting, but I am sure the children will do very well. I went to the park in 1982 for Pope John Paul, but these children were not even born then so it is really exciting for them.”

Paul Cameron, 10, from Giffnock, will sing a solo part of the song.

He said: “We are nervous and excited at the same time. My parents are really happy for me to be doing it. I’ve got a lead part and have to sing by myself so I’m practising a lot.”

Meanwhile, fourth year pupils from Taylor High School in Motherwell will perform a hymn they have written at the Papal Mass.

A video of the group of 14 students and one teacher performing their hymn, Faith, will be also played on screens around the park on the day and may be used at other venues during the Pope’s visit to Britain.