A COLNE Valley music festival ended on a high note, with one of the musicians being chosen for the Yorkshire and Humberside Championships.

Violinist Ben Wallis, 12, of Longwood, was one of 146 entrants in the 45th annual Haydn Wood Music Festival, which was held over two days at Linthwaite Methodist Church.

Ben, who was competing in the 13 and under string solo category on Saturday, was chosen by adjudicator Steven Roberts to represent the festival at the regional championships next September.

The regional competition is run by the British and International Federation of Festivals of Music, Speech and Dance.

Ben is the second youngster from the festival to be chosen for the regional contest.

Last year, young Birchencliffe violinist Katrina Lee was given the honour.

The festival, which is open to young people under the age of 21, was held in Slaithwaite until 2001. It celebrates the life of internationally-acclaimed composer Haydn Wood.

Wood, who was born in Slaithwaite in 1882 and died in 1959, wrote the poignant First World War song The Roses Of Picardy.

The festival ended with a concert given by the prizewinning young musicians.

Barry Fearnley, a member of the festival committee, said this year's event had been a success.

He added: "It was excellent. Entries were up on last year and the youngsters were outstanding. We keep improving every year."

Special guests at the event included his wife, Margaret, in her role as Deputy Mayor of Kirklees.

Jessie Jameson, president of Huddersfield's Mrs Sunderland Music Festival, also attended.

Sue Christie and Rodney Pearson took a trip down memory lane by acting as piano accompanists at the event. Both were entrants in the first Haydn Wood Music Festival 45 years ago.