WROUGHTON Parish Church organ offered up the opening notes of this year's Swindon Music Festival on Friday.

The annual festival runs right through until Saturday, with daily events being held at the Arts Centre.

On Friday evening the festival was kicked off by Enid Henderson who was presented with The Roger S Mant Church Organ Trophy after scoring 84 points in the Church Organ - Grade 4 and under category.

Festival secretary Yvonne Walker said: "There was a new trophy awarded this year to the winner of class 156, The Roger S Mant Organ Trophy. Roger made this trophy himself using three organ pipes mounted on a very old inkwell - a truly unique creation."

Claire Beaton was awarded 86 points for her performance in the Church Organ - Grade 5 and over category, earning her The Bill Ruck Church Organ Shield.

There were also rousing vocal performances from Catherine Forty who was presented with The George Snook Sacred Song Trophy after being awarded 87 points in the Sacred Song category, while Caroline Pitt's 86 points saw her win the Oratorio (including arias from major religious works) category and The Ray Howell Trophy.

The Christ Church choir won the Adult Church Choirs category with 87 points and are now the proud owners of The Church Choir Shield, while Bel Canto won the Adult Choirs category with 89 points to take home The Hill Challenge Shield