THREE schools in Andover were deemed “stalwarts” of an annual event after fears it may not go ahead due to a lack of participants.

The fifth annual Andover Young Musician of the Year concert was held in St Mary’s Church on Thursday, February 9.

And Test Valley School, Testbourne Community School and Winton Community Academy took part in the musical event.

Five schools were originally invited to take part but two dropped out at the last minute.

Chris Lynn, organiser, said: “The event is always a fantastic place for our senior schools to showcase the musical talent they have in their schools.

“It was regrettable that two schools had to pull out at the last minute but that is the teaching profession.

“The three schools Test Valley, Testbourne and Winton are our stalwarts and if they decide to participate next year I hope it will happen all over again.”

Students competed against one another in three categories: choir, classical and popular.

Testbourne School came out winners of all three categories with their choir, Bella Voce, Ellie McDevitt and Mya Eckett.

Test Valley School were runners-up with Rebecca Ledwidge and Sophie Yates.

Professional composer and pianist, Julian Dawes, jazz singer and composer, Sharon Vennall, and Andrew Pomfrey judged the entrants on the night.

A special category, the Hubert Dawkes trophy, was awarded to the performer who showed the most promise, and was won by Winton Academy’s Keisha Forster.

Mr Lynn added: “We raised just over £1,000 to go towards some new staging for the community to use when performing in the church.

“The old staging needs muscles to bring it up and take it back to the crypt. This new staging will be aluminium and easily moveable.”