YOUNG musicians from across the Midlands competed for the title of the Chandos Symphony Orchestra's Young Musician of 2006.

The event at St James's School, West Malvern, on Saturday, included two local virtuosos.

They were Hannah Roper, from Tarrington, who achieved the qualifying standard of Grade VIII by the age of 10. and double bassist Toby Hughes, 13, from Malvern, who already plays with the Chandos.

Although both failed to make it into the final three, Toby was commended as a promising performer by the adjudicators.

Overall winner of the competition was marimba player Yin-Shan (Eva) Hsieh, who took home a £300 prize and the Eleanor Lloyd Cup.

Eva, who is from Taiwan and studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire, may also be offered the chance to play with the Chandos.

Cheltenham violinist Edgar Bailey, who studies at the Royal Academy, was second, with Belarus cellist Alisa Liubarskaya, a student at the Birmingham Conservatoire student, third.

Another conservatoire student, flautist Clare Graves was named runner-up, while Ben Westlake, 13, a clarinettist from Solihull, was also commended.

Organiser Sheila Joynes, principal cellist with the Chandos, said: "All the performers played really well. There really was some wonderful music."

She said both Hannah and Toby were promising young musicians with years in front of them in the competition.