TALENTED young musicians from across the Midlands will be competing at St James's School, West Malvern, on Saturday, January 28.

Youngsters eligible for the Chandos Symphony Orchestra Young Musician competition have to be 20-years-old or younger, live within a 50-mile radius of Malvern and be Grade 8 standard, something young violinist Hannah Roper, from Tarrington, has achieved by the age of 10.

Hannah studies music with Malvern Suzuki, also plays the viola and piano and has won numerous prizes at music festivals. She first started playing the violin aged three and her biggest achievement to date is playing a solo recital, without any music, at Birmingham Cathedral.

The winner will receive £300, the Eleanor Lloyd shield and may get the chance to play with the orchestra.

Members of the public can hear performances from 12 youngsters for free at the Anstruther Hall from 10.15am.

Organiser and Chandos principal cellist Sheila Joynes said the competition was a platform for young musicians of a high standard, giving them the opportunity to perform to people who really knew about orchestral playing.

After each performer has played for 15 minutes, head judge and Chandos conductor Michael Lloyd and his fellow judges will choose four or five people to play in the final, which will start at around 4pm.

Cellist Jessica Hayes, who won last year's competition, will give a recital at 6.30pm before the winner is announced.