MUSICIANS played their favourite pieces to launch the 94th Swindon Music Festival.

Flute and clarinet players in the solo woodwind class opened the annual competition for people of all ages.

They were followed by soloists in the instrumental jazz section.

Top performers from the town are competing against each other at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town.

Sisters Laura and Anna Stacey, aged 17 and 14, have taken part in the festival since Laura was seven and Anna, six. This year was the first time they were pitted against each other.

Saxophonist Laura, who attends Ridgeway School, won the instrumental jazz section but was full of praise for her violinist sibling, who was runner up.

Laura said: "I think she deserved to win. She was very good."

Another sister, 10-year-old Emily, is an entrant in the solo piano and strings sections for grades five and six.

Geoff Walters took over as chairman of the festival last year.

He said the standard of performances was high and added: "We had a really great start. The adjudicator, Michael Shelton, was really good. He was very positive.

"Performances from the woodwind solo grade 7 to 8 were particularly good. "

The Kentwood Choir Trust donated a Yamaha grand piano worth £17,000 in time for the competition.Trophies, gold medals or plaques will be awarded to all class winners who achieve a minimum score of 84 per cent.

The festival culminates in a concert on April 12, when the Senior Vocal Championship and Supreme Challenge will also be held.

Tickets for the concert, which will start at 6.30pm, are available from the Arts Centre and cost £3.

The Arts Centre can be contacted on Swindon 614837.