GIFTED young pianists let their hands do the talking as the third day of a festival of music kicked into gear.

The South Cumbria Musical Festival welcomed promising musicians to the Cornonation Hall in Ulverston yesterday.

Competitors took to the stage to showcase their prowess when it came to tinkling the ivories.

The eclectic range of piano pieces played yesterday spanned the centuries. From the great masters such as Beethoven and Shostakovich, to more contemporary work such as the theme to Wallace and Gromit, and Back for Good, by pop star Gary Barlow.

The pianists were lucky enough to play on a specially hired Schimmel K123 grand piano.

The morning session focused on the younger performers who entered this year. The festival committee members were pleased to hear how well the youngsters were playing.

The winner of the £75 Julie Willis Piano Bursary and SCMF Cup was Charlie Whalley, of Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Barrow.

He also took home first place in the novice piano solo category for his version of Cowboy Blues by Pauline Hall.

Another winner was Rhiannon Michaela Shepherd from Ulverston who was awarded with the Douglas Poulter Piano Bursary of £50.

In the afternoon, players from school Year Seven upwards took to the stage, and Olivia Smith from Farleton received a distinction for her rendition of Rigaudon by Prokofiev.

The committee were pleased to note the variety of pieces performed throughout the morning and afternoon. In the Years Seven to Nine class, Vincent Wiper performed March of the Wooden Soldiers by Tchaikovsky, and Tash McQuire from Haverigg played If I Were A Rich Man by Jerry Bock.

The adjudicator James Kirby, who has performed across the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to the Moscow Conservatoire, was impressed by the talent of the performers. He will return today to judge the instrumental performers.