A STUDENT from Wellington is celebrating after winning the inaugural Taunton Young Singer competition.

Charlie Pemberton, who is in Year 11 at Wellington School, beat 18 other performers to win the prize.

The competition, judged by Professor Julian Pike from the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, was set up by the Taunton Music Festival in response to the ever-growing numbers of vocal entries.

Charlie said: “The rules are quite strict.

“I had to prepare a programme of 12 minutes, which included one song in a foreign language, one British Art Song of the last century, but no extracts from musical theatre or opera composed after 1800.

“The atmosphere was electric and it was such a thrill to perform with so many talented singers.”

The competition was held in the Gwyn Williams Room at Taunton School and Charlie was presented with a trophy and a cheque for £200.