A YOUNG musician has been awarded a trophy after hitting all the right notes at the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival.

Eight-year-old Vyara Ivanova, who is a pupil at Lawn Primary School, achieved the highest marks for a performer aged nine or under when she took to her piano at the event last month.

Festival officials and town crier Owen Collier visited her school yesterday to make her the first ever winner of the Pat Davies Memorial Trophy.

Vyara, from Old Walcot, who has been playing the piano for about three years, said: “I am very happy that I won. I was nervous before I performed, I had to play in front of about 20 people.

“I like playing the piano. I like that it has got low notes and high notes, otherwise it would be very boring.

“I would like to play in the theatre when I get older because then people could sing while I play.”

The music festival, which features professional adjudicators to help people develop their talents, attracted more interest than ever before at the end of last month.

The organisers praised the high level of performances at the Memorial Hall in Station Road.

Vyara played Suite de la Rejouissance for her performance and scored the highest marks out of some 40 children aged nine or younger.

Festival chairwoman Miranda Shirnia said: “To get the highest mark out of all those children she had to be special. She scored a total of 88, a lot get 84 and each extra mark is hard to get so 88 is a good grade. She should be very pleased with that.”

The Pat Davies Memorial Trophy was given to the festival this year by festival friend Jill Collett, in memory of her late mother who taught at Blunsdon St Andrews School.

Jill said: “My mum used to teach this age group and under, she would have been all for it. My mum would have liked supporting young children.”

Town crier Owen Collier said he was delighted to award the trophy because Pat used to teach him when he was at school.

Deputy headteacher and music co-ordinator at Lawn Primary School, Kelly James, said: “This is reflective of the music values of the school.

“Every Friday we have a celebration assembly where the children play their instruments.

“Vyara has played a few times and shared her talents. It is important for the children to be inspired.”

Lawn Primary School has just been awarded its Artsmark Gold award and won the Community Broadcast of the Year award at the Swindon 105.5 awards.

The Wootton Bassett Arts Festival will continue in November.

For more information, visit, www.wbaf.co.uk.