WORCESTER Sixth Form student Charlotte Daw will be lining up with the cream of Worcestershire's young musicians to impress the judges at an annual music competition.

The 17-year-old from Whittington, Worcester, is one of 11 entrants taking part in this year's Chandos Symphony Orchestra's Young Musician of the Year 2008 competition on Saturday, January 26, at St Edmund's Hall, Malvern College.

Charlotte will be playing the viola in front of judges Michael Lloyd, music director and principal conductor of the Chandos Symphony, and orchestra members Helen Goode and Jonathan Clements.

According to Charlotte's mum Nicky Daw, she has been playing the viola for four years and also plays the euphonium and percussion.

All competitors have to be under 21, live within a 50- mile radius of Malvern and have reached at least grade eight level of playing.

"Music is her passion," said Mrs Daw.

"She is looking forward to Saturday. She has done the Cheltenham Music Festival where she won her class and she has played with the Chandos Orchestra.

"She is planning to go to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester after finishing her A-levels and she wants to play in a chamber orchestra as a professional musician and do some teaching as well."

Cellist Natalie Halliday, 18 from Malvern; vocalist Verity Branson, 17, from Hanley Castle; and pianist Hanano Kawase, a student at Malvern College; are also taking part in the competition on Saturday.

The overall winner will receive the Eleanor Lloyd Shield and a cash prize of £400 plus an opportunity to give a solo performance with the orchestra, the second prize is £300 and £200 will go to the third placed musician.

The contest is sponsored by Making Music West Midlands, the Mike Simpson Memorial Fund and the Worcestershire branch of the English Speaking Union.

Anyone can attend the event which starts at 10.30am and lasts all day.