Harpist wins UK competition

Anglo-Maltese harpist Cecilia Sultana De Maria beat off stiff competition from 350 contestants to net the Walter Todds Award in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

Ms De Maria was highest placed harpist in the 30-year history of the competition - the most prestigious for young musicians in the UK.

The young musician picked up the special award during a ceremony at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. She will move to the Royal College of Music in September for a Bachelor of Music degree and continue her harp studies.

The college awarded her a scholarship after she completed five years at the Junior Department of the RCM where she collected three awards, including that of the most outstanding student.

Ms De Maria has also had the opportunity of playing solo at Buckingham Palace and at Sadler's Wells Theatre where students from the Purcell School for Young Musicians were invited to perform.