YOUNG baritone horn player Ben Stratford from Parkend has scooped the prestigious Yvonne Walkerdine Musical Bursary after taking part in a stunning contest concert at Coleford Baptist Church.

In the audition last Tuesday evening, seven of the area's very best local young musicians competed for a £400 prize and produced an outstanding evening of high class entertainment and musicianship.

Oliver Stanton from Longhope kicked the proceedings off on alto saxophone with two wonderful jazz classics, Watermelon Man and Stormy Weather, both of which displayed his rare talent for improvisation.

"Then we had James Owston, a year 11 student from Dene Magna, who presented amazing versatility on both electric and bass guitars with a selection of rock and jazz funk," said a spokesman.

"Ben Stratford then demonstrated his supreme command of the baritone horn, providing his own arrangement and then a sparkling array of notes and finger work in Rule Britannia.

"Peter Eason Daniels treated us to his own freely composed and improvised soundscapes which were hypnotic and extremely beautiful. Following a short break 13-year-old Olivia Franghiadi from Lydney displayed her considerable talents on both xylophone and snare drum.

"Oliver Pugh, a year 11 Lakers student from Staunton, gave us a lovely rendition of The Ash Grove on his cornet and the evening finished with Kieran Ball of local group Pandemick who demonstrated his fleet fingerwork on guitar and then gave a mesmerising performance on drums.

"The standard of musicianship was incredibly high and any of the seven competitors could easily have won, but the overall winner was Ben Stratford from Parkend.

"We experienced the very best playing and entertainment from all these young competitors on Tuesday evening but Ben was simply outstanding.

"His presentation and obvious command of his instrument was a joy to watch."

Ben says he hopes to spend the cash on pursuing a career in music and is currently auditioning for music colleges around the UK.