THE alma mater of Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has been named BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year in what was a clean sweep for the Maiden City.

Derry choirs, Ebrington Primary School and Thornhill College – attended by McGee – were named junior and senior champions respectively in the live final yesterday.

It was broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster from the Ulster Hall, with a special highlights programme to be shown on BBC One Northern Ireland at 5.30pm next Sunday.

Sixty-two choirs battled it out over eight weeks, with six schools making it to the live final, with the awards presented by vocal coach, singer and television presenter Carrie Grant.