YOUNGSTERS took part in a carol service which remembered a community leader who died earlier this year.

Three Bellingham primary schools sang at the sixth annual carol service held on Bellingham Green.

Pupils from Elfrida School, Elfrida Crescent, St. Augustine’s school, Dunfield Road, and Athelney School, Athelney Street, performed at the service.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock turned on the Christmas tree lights with one of Bellingham’s oldest residents, 90-year-old Betty Atchison of Bellingham Green.

More than 300 people attended the service which remembered John Bovenizer, who died from bowel cancer in August at the age of 45.

Mr Bovenizer was a voluntary community project officer and organised the Bellingham Festival in June.

Rev Raymond Singh from Christ Church, Bellingham Green, said: “The service shows how local communities can come together and share in fellowship despite all the gloom and doom about the credit crunch.

“Hearing the little children singing their hearts out was like heavenly music.”

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