YOUNG violinists were among Bolton School Junior Girls musicians who took part in this year’s Ramsbottom Music Festival.

The festival, now in its 26th year, staged its usual schools day at Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom on Friday, followed by individual performances all day Saturday at Greenmount Primary School and Greenmount Church.

Festival secretary, Chris Hawkins, of Bradshaw, Bolton, said: “We pack a lot into the two days, and keep it as compact as possible. It varies from year to year but we had just short of 200 performances in total this year.”

Musicians can choose to perform as a competitor, and up to 20 have been asked to return to a gala performance in Greenmount on Saturday night. There, the most promising performer of the 2018 festival will be chosen. Mr Hawkins said: “There are some fantastically talented musicians out there. We have seen some phenomenal performances take place.”