THE impressive talents of youngsters are being showcased at the popular Whitehaven Musical Festival this week.

Performers are treading the boards at the 69th annual festival, held at Whitehaven’s Marchon Club.

The festival, which began yesterday, features entrants from across West Cumbria, taking part in a selection of singing, instrumental, and speaking classes.

Max Cross, six, a pupil at Orgill Primary School in Egremont, scooped The Tony Roberts Trophy for solo verse speaking in the under six category.

His dad, David Cross, said: “He absolutely loved it. He has been practicing at home.”

Seven-year-old Luke Coates, who attends St James’ C of E Infant School, won the Teasdale Trophy for solo verse speaking in the six to eight year olds category.

His dad, Paul Coates, said: “He has really enjoyed it. He’s really enthusiastic about this sort of stuff. It’s good for them - it’s an experience they take with them.”

Michael Craig, headteacher at the school, said: “We started to enter our children into the voice speaking competition last year because we want to develop our children’s love of performing arts and give them confidence as they grow older.

“I am thrilled with Luke winning the competition. The standard was every high, as always. I would like to say a massive thanks to my foundation governor, Pat Smith, who gave up her time to work with our children to perform the poems so well.”

Pupils at Kells Infant School in Whitehaven triumphed in the choral speaking category with their recital of The Cats’ Tea Party by Frederick E Weatherley. Sue Ross, assistant headteacher, said: “We are very proud of them. We have a tradition of entering every year. We think it’s very important.”

Judge Keith Beattie said: “Everybody is to be applauded for their efforts. Everybody did extremely well. Choral speaking gives children confidence on stage presenting to a large audience.

“All the schools performed very well and it’s nice to see festivals embracing choral speaking. All the children will have benefitted. It’s great to see schools doing this work and I just wish it would spread into senior schools.”

Chairman Mr Hunter is inviting the community to attend the action-packed five-day festival, which is set to run until Saturday.