ONE of the world's leading musical competition judges said a proposal to axe funding for the much-loved Gwent Music Support is short-sighted.

Eric Tebbett, one's of the world's leading competition judges, said the move was "absolutely shocking" and said the service was a "soft target" for cuts.

Newport council is considering axing its £292,000 contribution to Gwent Music Support Service (GMSS) as part of its draft budget proposals for 2013/14, currently under consultation.

Mr Tebbett has previously called the support the service gives for music in schools as the best in Britain.

The situation is not unusual to Gwent and cuts to school music services are happening all over the country, Mr Tebbett said.

He said: "It's such a short sighted decision. It provides such a service for the community. I don't understand how people can look at it in purely financial terms.

"The children that can't afford to pay for lessons won't get them because they can't afford it. It will become an elite occupation.

"It will lead to a situation where the haves will be able to do it and the haves not won't."

The Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra is known all over the country, he said, but the move could be "disastrous" if there is no safeguards in place for children from low income families.

Mr Tebbett is chairman of several mentoring panels for the finals of the National Festival of Music for Youth in BirminghamÐÊin which 15 ensembles from GMSS took part in 2011 alone.

Gwent has previously held the record for sending more musicians to the annual youth festival than any other region.

The Bedford-based judge says Gwent music groups have cropped up throughout his 30-year career as a mentor, and has judged the GMSS' own young musician competitions.

NEITHER of the other two councils that directly fund Gwent Music Support Service say they are considering slashing funds.

Torfaen and Monmouthshire both said they have not considered dropping support for GMSS as part of proposals for next year's budget.

However a spokesperson for Monmouthshire council said the move by Newport throws "an entirely new perspective" on the issue.

"The consultation has begun, but there are no specific published proposals," he said. "Whatever has been planned or discussed is just irrelevant now."

Paul Mathews, Monmouthshire chief executive, said the service implications could be "very significant".

Torfaen pays GMSS £217,400 a year, while Monmouthshire contributes £262,000.