Durham Cathedral is to allow girls to sing in its choir for the first time in 900 years.

Singing at the cathedral was originally done by monks, but later moved on to a choir of men and boys formed after the Reformation.

The cathedral choir is currently made up of 20 boys who attend the nearby Chorister School, previously attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

This week 10 girls aged nine to 12 went to the cathedral to take part in inaugural rehearsals as part of an intensive training programme, reports The Telegraph.

The girls will sing in eight weekly services following the October half-term holiday, with the intention of alternating the girls and boys in singing the choir’s soprano section.

Ian Hawksby, headteacher of The Chorister School, said, "This is an extremely exciting time for the cathedral, The Chorister School and most of all for the girls themselves.

"An enormous amount of work and planning has taken place over the past few years, and it is wonderful to see it come to fruition at last."

One of the girls, Catherine Pemberton, 12, said, “All three of my brothers have been choristers here, but I never thought I would get the chance to sing here too. It's a real privilege.

"I'm a bit nervous, but really looking forward to it all. I think it's great that girls can finally be choristers and sing in the cathedral too."

James Lancelot, Master of the Choristers and a cathedral organist, said, "They are a splendid group of girls.

"We are very much looking forward to working together and intend to have them on full parity with the boys next year."