76582-24TRUMPET player James Bladon has been crowned as the supreme champion of the Swindon Music Festival.

He won the Stuart MacPherson Trophy on Saturday night as well as the Ken Exton Trophy for achieving the highest brass mark.

The 15-year-old, of Haydon Wick, who also plays the piano and is a member of the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra, said he was delighted to scoop a top gong on Saturday night.

"I'm chuffed because I've been trying for a long time to win a major championship," he said.

The youngster, who attends Rendcomb College near Cirencester, has been playing both instruments for eight years.

His sister Amy, 12, who plays the piano, clarinet and sings, also won awards at the festival.

Their mum, Ann, said: "I'm very proud. The awards were well deserved."

The music festival ended with a grand concert and prize giving ceremony.

Talented young musicians brought the event to a resounding climax at the Swindon Arts Centre in Devizes Road.

During the 96th festival there have been classes for choirs, vocal solos, duets, groups, strings, woodwind, brass and keyboard players.

This year's new classes have included the modern pop song and folk songs.

Chairman Geoff Walters said the standard at the extravaganza, which was organised by Swindon Music Service, was very high.

He said: "I think that is because the teachers in Swindon are so very good.

"They are producing a lot of talented musicians it really is staggering," he said.

Next year's festival will be held between March 13 and 25.