RAMSBOTTOM was alive with the sound of music when more than 500 children and adults competed in a festival.

Youngsters from Bolton were among those who took a raft of trophies home from Ramsbottom Music Festival.

An event for primary school children was held at Woodhey High School where members of the public were entertained by brass bands, school orchestras, a recorder ensemble and choirs.

Greenmount Primary School hosted an evening of song featuring mixed ensembles, solo instrumentalists, duettists, trios and quartets who played a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, electronic keyboard, strings, woodwind and brass.

Mary Crehan, festival chairman, said: "A panel of adjudicators from the British and International Federation of Festivals commented that the standard was high, with 31 performances receiving a distinction and two entrants were considered outstanding."

Alexandra Clarke, aged 13, from Lostock, who won The Florence Nuttall Trophy for grade eight flute and the Ramsbottom Music Festival Committee Shield for the most promising woodwind performance, scored the highest mark in the festival.

She will represent Ramsbottom Music Festival at the North West Regional Championships in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on September 5.

Other successful entrants from Bolton included St Bede’s CE Primary Academy Brass Group, who were awarded second place in the Primary School Instrumental Group competition.

Bolton Junior Boys School string quartet won the TNT (UK) Ltd Trophy and talented singer Lucy Mullen, from Heaton, won three trophies for vocal solos, age 14 to 15 years.

First prize winners from Bolton were Charlotte Trenbath, Helena Lathwell-Watts, Holly Errington, James Sloane, Ross Smith, Rhianna Taylor-Birch, Amy Tinniswood, Ben Tinniswood, Alexandra Clarke and Lucy Mullen.