PIANISTS, public speakers and string players dominated the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival yesterday.

The morning was filled with verse speaking, prepared reading and piano classes.

Then in the afternoon, the final piano classes were held and string players took the stage. Finally, verse speaking, public speaking, poetry and Bible reading classes were held in the evening.

Lepton boy Eliot McGuire enjoyed particular success in the piano classes. He won the Eva Roberts Trophy in the piano solo 10 years and under class.

He also claimed second place in the challenging piano solo sonatina 12 years and under class.

Judge Graeme Humphreys commended his performance of Kabalevsky's Op 13 No 1 in this class.

He said: "You gave a good presentation and had done excellent homework. This is music which is way in advance of most children of your age."

Also enjoying success in the piano classes was Ruth Nicholson, of Sheffield. Ruth, 12, claimed first prize in the piano solo 13 years and under class for her performance of Gade's Ringeltanz.

Ruth, who also plays the violin, competed in the Mrs Sunderland last year and came second in the piano solo sonatina 12 years and under class.

She is following the musical footsteps of her brother Leo, 14, who is also a pianist. He won the piano solo 20th century open class and the piano solo Chopin open class at the festival last year.

In the children's verse speaking classes, youngsters from Outlane Junior School and Bingley-based performing arts school Stage 84 filled most of the entry places.

Stage 84 pupil Mollie Brooke won first prize in the verse speaking seven years and under class and received the Madame Lily Mitchell trophy.