A talented pupil who attends a school in Stonebridge has fought off stiff competition to win a place in the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Nine-year-old Carys Gwenllian Hinds, who attends the London Welsh School in Shakespeare Avenue, has been chosen to play the harp for the orchestra after being pitted against some of the country’s most musically gifted youngsters.

Carys, who also plays the piano and sings, said, “It’s very exciting to be part of a brilliant orchestra and to be with other children who love music so much. The audition was quite scary and I was very nervous, but I enjoyed it a lot at the same time.”

Miss Julie Sullivan, her headteacher, said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have so many talented musicians in our small school, who play a variety of instruments. Carys’s achievement is wonderful and we are all beaming with pride.”

The year five pupil is set to participate in her first performance during the summer holidays.