Young pianist William Nixon isn't just celebrating picking up silverware at the Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival - he's also clinched a place at a top conservatoire.

William, 17, has secured a place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to study piano.

He achieved Grade Eight in the piano last year and was poised to finish his performance diploma earlier this week.

William, who lives with his family in Ivegill, is also Grade Eight in the flute.

He said: "I had to audition and although I didn't get an offer from Glasgow I did receive offers for Birmingham and Leeds.

"Birmingham has brand new facilities and the course is brilliant. I've also got an interest in the film music and composition part of the course there."

Birmingham City University’s brand new £57 million home for Birmingham Conservatoire opened its doors to students last September with news that the performing arts institution has been granted a Royal title by Her Majesty The Queen.

Internationally renowned cellist and conductor Professor Julian Lloyd Webber is principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Last weekend William performed at the gala climax to the Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival, picking up a silver cup for achieving the highest overall mark in the piano classes.

William said: "With the festival, last week means I've been put through to a regional championship taking place on July 7. I'll be representing Carlisle as a result of the performance."

He is no stranger to the festival, having been competing there for at least the last four years.

William has been playing the piano since he was around nine years old.

He's a member of the Carlisle Youth Concert Band.

He also plays the piano at Adriano's Italian restaurant in the city's Rickergate and last Christmas Day he performed for guests at Sharrow Bay Hotel, Ullswater.

He is currently studying at Caldew School, Dalston, where he is due to take A-levels in music, English Literature and Physics later this year.

"I love the fact you can make such a connection with people through music," said William.

"There a lot of emotional when you play and listen to music, often far more that what you get with words."

There is an opportunity to watch William in action next month when he performs with his tutor Michael Hancock at St Barnabas Church, Raffles on Friday, April 27.