CHILDREN at a Brighton primary school have taken part in a world record-breaking attempt in aid of a charity for deaf and hearing-impaired people.

More than 400 youngsters at Bevendean Launch Pad and Primary School in Brighton joined a challenge to get a record number of people singing and performing a song in sign language together across the UK.

Wendy King, headteacher at the school, said: “It was wonderful to see over 400 children and adults at our school singing and signing together. I felt so proud of them all.”

The children have been practising for weeks for the challenge, which is part of the charity SignHealth’s National Sign To Sing Record Attempt.

Last year, 144,503 took part in the event, including pupils from Bevendean, which has the Launch Pad facility for deaf or hearing-impaired children.

Ali Davies, the teacher in charge of the Launch Pad, said: “We’re so excited to be taking part again.

“We have a facility at this school for deaf and hearing-impaired children, some of whom use sign language to help with communication.

“The event is a fantastic way for all children to learn how important communications is, to have fun mastering a little sign language and to raise money to improve the health of deaf people.”

SignHealth campaigns to give deaf and hearing-impaired people better access to healthcare and to provide more services in sign language.

Deaf children are twice as likely to suffer life-threatening illnesses when they are adults because of the difficulties of accessing health services and advice in sign language.

Steve Powell, SignHealth chief executive, said: “Learning a few words and greeting signs in sign language is easy to do and great fun.

“The more that children learn to sign, the more included and less isolated signing deaf children will be.

“And the money this event raises is vital if we’re to continue trying to give deaf children the chance of a life as healthy as their hearing friends.”