A PONTNEWYDD music student will help to represent Wales as she performs as part of a charity scheme set up by the late violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

Clarinetist Hannah Morgan, 22, of Grove Park, has been accepted for the scheme Live Music Now, a UK-wide charity which supports young musicians whilst providing people with access to live music in places such as schools for children with special needs, homes for older people, prisons, hospitals and hospices.

As a student in her fifth year at the Royal College of Music in London, Miss Morgan, who started playing the clarinet at the age of nine, had to perform in front of the Live Music Now panel as part of an audition and found out she had been accepted two weeks ago.

The role will see her travelling to venues in Wales with French pianist Thomas Besnard performing and presenting to audiences.

Miss Morgan has worked with Mr Besnard for four years and they have performed in places including the Royal Overseas House and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The former St Albans Roman Catholic High School pupil, who was born in Griffithstown, Pontypool, usually visits her family in Pontnewydd every other month.

Music follows in her family with her father, chemistry teacher Chris Morgan an amateur jazz pianist, her mum a singer and her sister a trumpet player.

She said: "They gave me great encouragement."

Miss Morgan, who also plays the saxophone and oboe, added: "We are very serious about wanting to perform and this is a great opportunity.”

After taking up the clarinet at school, Miss Morgan joined the junior department of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Gwent Youth Orchestra.