A GLISTENING array of talent was on show this weekend at the closing gala night of the South Cumbria Musical Festival.

The annual competition at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston delighted crowds throughout the week with Saturday night proving no exception.

With a range of performers, musicians and styles there was something for everyone.

Keith Butcher, chairman of the festival, said: "It's been a very successful festival. Our adjudicators have all been impressed with the high standard of performances throughout the week."

First up was the Furness Music Centre Orchestra, from Dalton, who pride themselves on being inclusive and non-auditioned, with members' ages spanning eight to over 80 years old.

The group were keen to show their varied repertoire, ranging from Dvořák's Slavonic Dances to the Downton Abbey theme tune.

The George Nicholls Young Musician of the Year Award was then presented on behalf of the Evening Mail to one of the orchestra's finest violinists.

Bethany Pugh, 11, from Ulverston, received £100 and a trophy to keep.

She said: "I just didn't expect it. I was so surprised and pleased."

Bethany who attends Croftlands Junior School is also an accomplished pianist, having won the Liz Waller Cup and the Hamer shield for her piano solos at Tuesday's competition.

Two talented young musicians from Millom then took to the stage with fine performances by recorder player Katie Cullen and flautist Lindsey Gibson.

It was then time for three stunning vocalists to battle it out for the Esther C Croskery and Aprille C Bonner trophy.

Rosemary Brown and Breda King both sang accomplished programmes, but in the end the prize went to Faye Bowness from Milinthorpe.

Faye's performance included a cheerful and bright rendition of It Was a Lover and His Lass , arranged by M Dring which uses the words from Shakespeare's As You Like It .

This is the second time in a matter of weeks that Faye's talent has been recognised at the Coronation Hall, having recently been crowned winner of the charity event Lakes Got Talent .

The second half of the gala evening was then given over to some of the best performers from the competition during the week.

This including a lively monologue of the Cheshire Cat from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Phoebe Lever from Barrow and a stylish trumpet solo by Abigail Stanway from Dalton.

Sean Kerr from Grange was also presented with the Robert J Lacey Memorial Trophy, while Phoebe Lever received the Barrow Soroptomists Shield and Bursary for £50. Olivia Smith from Farleton received the Martyn Tonge Rosebowl.

Amongother awards announced were the Ulverston Town Shield and Bursary which went to St Mary’s School RC Primary School, the Barrow Arts Forum Shield and Bursary which was presented to Chapel Street Infants and Nursery School, Dalton, and the Millom Town Shield and Bursary, which went to St James' Catholic Primary School.

The festival was rounded off with a snazzy performance from Saxophone quartet Ragazza, comprising Victoria Heard (soprano), Faye Lewis (alto), Emma Howarth (tenor) and Justine Blackburn (baritone).

The evening and the competition was a great success.

Mayor of Ulverston, Mark Wilson added: "It was a great evening showcasing all of the talent in Ulverston and further afield. It's a lovely event and something very much worthwhile continuing with."