A school’s brand new ukulele and guitar ensemble is in “intensive rehearsal” ahead of a national festival and the possibility of further fame.

The King’s Strings from King Harold Academy in Waltham Abbey travel to Watford on March 6 for their first countrywide music festival.

Some of the 22 players only picked up a ukulele for the first time last week, and so face an intensive rehearsal schedule before the big day.

Head of music Diana Russell said: “They are all doing really well and have already learnt their first song.”

If successful at the competitive event, the group could be invited to perform at national finals in July and maybe eventually at the Royal Albert Hall in London.