A MUSIC festival for young people got underway at the weekend.

The 83rd Consett Music Festival is being held at Consett Community Sports College, in Blackhill, Consett, and will continue next weekend.

This competition judge at the weekend was Dominic Nunn, who recently returned from the Sydney Opera House, performing with the Stomp Lost and Found Orchestra.

He held a mini master class on Friday evening, and on Saturday delighted young performers and the audience with an unusual performance of music by Mozart.

Chairman of the Consett Music Festival committee Joan Hemmings said: "It was a lovely weekend, and the adjudicator was absolutely super. When he gave a demonstration of Mozart using a hosepipe and funnel, everyone was just amazed."

Choirs from Leadgate Infant and Nursery School, Tanfield Lea Infant School, Lanchester EP Primary School, Witton Gilbert Junior School and Tanfield Lea Junior School won choir competitions.

In the 11 years and under singing classes, Rebecca Davis, from Castleside, was in first place for girl's solo, and Daniel Smith from Witton Gilbert was first in the boy's solo.

Susannah Roberts, from Stockport, Ayesha D'Oyley, from Morpeth, Hannah and Rhiannon Wolland and Roseanne Jones, from Chester-le-Street, collected trophies in the stringed instrument classes.

In the brass classes, the winners were Kate Malcolm, from Boldon, and Hayley O'Connelley and Laura Teasdale, from Belmont.

Phillip Tait, from Durham, won the Grorud Trophy and the Christina Lowes Cup. Along with his playing partner, Jennifer Wright, he also carried off a Melville Cole Duet Trophy.

In the Woodwind classes, David Roberts from Stockport won the Elizabeth Brewer and the Festival Committee Trophy.

The evening concluded with performances from Lanchester Training Band and the Diploma winners, Craghead Colliery Youth Band.