Britney Spears has praised the children of a New York school - after visiting pupils to donate $10,000 to their music programme.

The "Toxic" hitmaker paid an impromptu visit to John Philip Sousa Junior High School in The Bronx on Wednesday to hand over a cheque from Elizabeth Arden, the cosmetics company behind her perfume range.

Spears was treated to a special performance by the Sousatones, the school's eight-piece band.

And when the band's director, Sal Mazzola, joked that she should take the youngsters on her forthcoming world tour, the star agreed, insisting, "You'll be the first people I call."

Spears also paid tribute to the hard work put in by the pupils on the music programme, and praised Elizabeth Arden executives for making such a generous donation to the scheme.

She tells People.com, "I really enjoyed the time I spent at the John Philip Sousa Middle School.

"I've been working with the people at Elizabeth Arden for the last five years, and I know how passionate everyone is about the school.

"I loved hearing the school orchestra and the children sang so beautifully. The fact that Elizabeth Arden made such a large donation for the school music studio in my name was so generous."