Singing sensation Jolan treated West Lakes Academy pupils to an impromptu performance.

The 22-year-old, who rose to fame on this year's series of The Voice on BBC 1, dropped into school today and performed for crowds of youngsters.

Pupils packed the school's reception area to see the Moor Row star's rendition of Purple Rain by the legend Prince.

Laura Lithgow, the academy's PR and events manager, said: "We are holding, next week, a Proud to be Cumbrian Day. It's all about the Cumbrian dialect."

A host of successful Cumbrians, including Jolan, have been invited to Tuesday's event, however, The Voice finalist is unable to attend.

Miss Lithgow said: "We asked him to come and film a video message for the kids instead. On Fridays we have music students perform in the reception area. It was all set up. We asked him if he'd sing  - and he did!"

The academy is planning a variety of activities for Tuesday's event for Year 9 students.

The day will include learning about the features of the Cumbrian accent and dialect. They are also set to learn when it is appropriate to use Standard English and talks from some successful Cumbrian speakers.

Miss Lithgow said: "Our event is a celebration of dialects and accents as we want to show our students they can be successful whatever their accent, which is why we are including talks from a range of successful Cumbrians including John Clarke from the NDA and former Cumbrian Business Woman of the Year, Sally Fielding."