GWENT musicians from Islwyn and Caldicot are celebrating their success - as a Pontllanfraith teenager is named the best woodwind player at a national festival and a Gwent brass band win a championship.

Jack Mainwaring, 16, head boy at Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School, scooped his accolade at the Urdd National Eisteddfod held in Eryri, North Wales, during half-term.

After qualifying in preliminary rounds, he competed in the national competition against older pupils in the year ten to under-19 category playing the flute on stage.

The young musician, who has been playing the flute for seven years and was named Caerphilly school’s young musician of the year aged 13, performed Hypnosis by Ian Clarke to win the overall competition.

The adjudicators’ report said he gave a magical and captivating performance.

He said: "I am also proud of the fact that I have done this as a pupil from an English Medium School in Wales."

The Severn Tunnel Band, based in Caldicot, competes regularly in the 4th Brass Band Division, and after winning several local competitions, it was placed first at the Welsh regional championships in Swansea.

Now the band is intent on blowing up the perfect musical storm when representing Wales at the UK national finals in Cheltenham in September.

Its achievement marks a notable year for the band under new conductor Joshua Ruck, and its recent victories are a perfect platform for celebrating its 90th anniversary next year.

The band meets regularly in Caldicot and runs training and senior sections, the latter's busy calendar including contests, fetes, concerts and carol performances.

New members of any age and standard are welcome. The band's annual concert takes place at the choir hall from 7.30am, tickets available on the door.