Students at a special needs school are hoping to top the UK music chart this Christmas with their version of an empowering anthem.

Some 25 pupils at Five Acre Wood School (FAW), based in Loose, have recorded a cover of The Script's Hall of Fame, and realised it today, which has been described as "absolutely brilliant" in a video message from Glen Power, the band's drummer.

Watch: Five Acre Wood School pupils cover The Script's Hall of Fame

The school, which supports children with severe and complex learning difficulties, will complete against Elton John and Ed Sheeran, comedian LadBaby and Adele; who are all vying for the 2021 Christmas number 1.

Tim Williams, head of the Loose site, said it would be truly special for the students to achieve the coveted position, adding: "It would be a dream come true, it would show you can aim high and achieve anything. We want people to give us a chance, to get behind us for number one."

The single, featuring singer Jack Rose, will be released via DeeVu Records, which teamed up with the school to produce the anthem, and has previously put on concerts and festivals held by FAW.

The idea for a song came about after discussions between Mr Williams and DeeVu's Lee Rose, and last month, students, accompanied by their teachers, recorded the single at the company's Sittingbourne studio.

Mr Williams said: "They spent the day there with the producer, they sang as a whole group and got into the recording booths in pairs.

"It was an amazing experience for our youngsters, they loved it. In the video, you have got youngsters with their arms around each other just bumping up and down.

"Our priorities are around communication, setting new goals, working with a range of people in an inclusive way. That ticks so many boxes. Given their significant needs it's quite inspiring singing in that way."

There are more than 700 students at FAW, spanning across three sites, aged from three to 19.

Unfortunately, not all could feature in the song, and the pupils chosen were those who had shown a flare for music and were part of the FAW groups, including signing choirs for those with hearing difficulties.

However, more than 200 were involved in the filming of the video, at the school and in the studio.

In a congratulatory video message to the school, Glen Power, of The Script, describes the cover as "absolutely brilliant" and says he can't wait to see the video.

And why did they choose the Script's Hall of Fame? "It's about believing in yourself, believing in the impossible, determination and believing in your dreams.

"That's an anthem for us, it's an anthem for our times," Mr Williams said.

The single's video will also be launched on Friday, with a premier at the school for students today.

You can order the single here.