YOUNGSTERS took to the stage and impressed the judges at the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival yesterday.

Gregory Barker was among dozens of young pianists showing off their talents in the competition's piano classes.

Gregory, of Fixby, won the under 11 piano solo, Eliot McGuire, of Lepton, was second with Alan Ma, of Honley, in third place.

Scholes youngster William Robertson took first place in the piano solo for entrants aged 10 and under.

In the afternoon, the young musicians played piano duets.

Classes for verse speaking, Bible reading and drama were also staged yesterday.

Lily-Ella Cartwright-Douglas, of the Bingley-based performing arts school Stage 84, won the verse speaking category for children aged seven and under.

President of the festival, Jessie Jameson, said she was pleased with the competition so far and praised local support for the annual festival.

She said: "We have had good audiences which is lovely because it helps encourage the competitors.

"We are very fortunate to have such a fine venue in the Town Hall too, because it gives these young people the chance play on a wonderful piano.

"It is such a friendly festival. Everyone has been so full of smiles to really encourage the entrants."

About 1,150 entrants are taking part in this year's festival in 144 classes.

Huddersfield Town Hall and Huddersfield University's St Paul's are staging the events.

Piano, and speaking and reading classes, were set to continue today and the festival runs until Saturday.

Junior Music Theatre (10 and under) - 1 Reanna Geisler, 2 Lydia Bradd and Catriona Keller-Jackson, 3 Stephanie Merritt, Thomas Ramsay, Aimee Shickell, Hannah Caldwell.

Junior Music Theatre (11-13) - 1 Chloboëbeth Hamer, 2 Thomas Lambert and Catrin Pryce-Jones, 3 Tom Law.

Piano Solo (13 and under) - 1 Hector Docx, 2 Emma Robertson, 3 Bridget McHugh.

Piano Solo (11 and under) - 1 Gregory Barker, 2 Eliot McGuire, 3 Alan Ma.

Piano Solo (10 and under) - William Robertson.

The Music Quiz - 1 Huddersfield U3A, 2 Huddersfield Choral Society.