STANDING under a stream of twinkling lights, students filled a Hull shopping centre with the sweet sound of Christmas carols in aid of Heart Research UK.
The University of Hull's contemporary choir was joined by a young female duo to delight shoppers as part of the annual Sing For Your Heart fundraiser.
Along with traditional carols, they belted out an African chant Azika Tale and Stand By Me as part of the repertoire at Princes Quay shopping centre.
Jack Simmonds, who helped to conduct the choir, said: "As students, we don't have a lot of money to give but we can certainly give our time to help the charity.
"It's a very worthy cause and although we have lectures today, we managed to get at least ten members of the choir to help collect donations and sing for shoppers.
"The acoustics in the centre are a lot different to what we're used to, so it is a bit of a challenge for us, but it's great to be here.
"It's interesting to mix in some modern songs as well as the usual jolly carols."
Gemeilah Cann, president of the society that runs the choir, said they have already performed two concerts this term and also been out busking in the city centre.
She said: "Singing is good for the heart and we wanted to do all we could to help the charity."
Heart Research UK has already funded £3.1 million in heart disease research projects in Yorkshire since 2002, with almost £400,000 going on research at universities and hospitals in Hull.
Chris Child, of Heart Research UK, helped with the collection buckets at the singing event.
He said: "It is one of our most important fundraising events of the year and was first launched in 2005.
"I love traditional carols and we like to hold the Sing For Your Heart events in railway stations and shopping centres so the public can enjoy the music."
Sandy Clark, 19, said the event was the perfect way to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit.
He said: "It's a fantastic cause and we were all happy to take time out to help the charity."
The choir were joined at the event by Hull duo Sweet V, featuring Helena Richards, 17, and Jessica Pinder, 16, who have been performing together for three years. The girls performed an original track entitled Listen To Your Heart.
