Charlton Park was transported to Brazil as youngsters from schools in Malmesbury and the surrounding areas performed to thousands of festivalgoers to launch the WOMAD festival in style.

Along with Escola De Carnaval, more than 100 pupils from in and around Malmesbury opened the main stage last night with a colourful hour-long set of Brazilian-influenced music and dance which was lapped up by the sea of adoring parents and friends.

"It was really good," said eight-year-old Lily Ramirez-Hobbs from Minety School, who was part of the singing and dancing ensemble.

"I felt quite famous for something and I liked the feeling of being on stage!"

The children, who have been preparing for this event since June, had been practicing for a few hours every day in the last week of term.

Nicki Hobbs said: "I am so proud of Lily. It is amazing for them to be able to do this every year. They have practiced for hours and I think I know all the words to the songs now!"

The Escola De Carnaval team led the children in song and dance with the band members conducting the musicians and the dancing team leading the children through their moves.

Colin and Paula Laker watched as their ten-year-old daughter enjoyed dancing in front of thousands of people.

"She was absolutely mesmerised by the sea of faces out there," Mr Laker said.

"It is so amazing to see all the kids enjoying themselves on stage. It was a brilliant and tremendous show."

Although usually a shy girl, Mrs Laker said her daughter has gained so much confidence from taking part in this event that she was a different person on stage.

This year, the UK's largest department store group John Lewis donated £1,200 to assist the schools with the Malmesbury School Project which helped pay for the children to work alongside the international artists, something which eight-year-old Henry Mason said was special.

“It was great to see Henry up there and it is nice to see them grow up every year and get to this point," Henry's grandfather Mike Martin said.

"I love seeing the fun on their faces. They really enjoy it."

The Brazilian themed performance has set the tone for the next three days which will see more than 30,000 world music fans descend on the Earl of Sussex's back garden for music, dance and food from every corner of the world.