Schools across Wiltshire will be tuning up as they prepare for Devizes Junior Eisteddfod this weekend.

Director Michael Johnson believes the 68th eisteddfod will be one of the highest quality ever and, thanks to a new format, some of the region’s finest young musicians will take part.

He said: “Among the highlights of two packed days of competitive arts events will be three concerto classes, each given in front of a jury of some of the country’s top adjudicators.”

On Friday at 7pm in the Assembly Rooms four young violinists will compete for the West Wiltshire Music Trophy in the string concerto competition.

On Saturday the woodwind concerto will be held at 5pm and the piano concerto at 7pm in the Assembly Rooms.

Mr Johnson said: “For lovers of great music these are three events not to be missed.”

Admission to all three concerts is free and each competition takes about an hour.

Overall there will be more than 1,000 young people taking part in the event, which is being held in five venues in the town. There will be a wide variety of instrumental, choirs, speech, drama and musical theatre classes that will be judged.

There are also a number of pre-adjudicated entries for handwriting, composition, poetry writing and art work.

This year the prizewinners’ concert will not be held at the end of the judging weekend but two weeks later, on November 29. The one for junior classes starts at 3pm and the senior awards at 7pm.

The Eisteddfod is sponsored by Winkworth estate agents. A £1 programme can be bought in advance from Winkworth in Market Place.