Young performers dazzled an audience with Disney songs on day one of Whitehaven Musical Festival.

Classes were held at the Marchon Club yesterday (Wednesday) including Disney songs, Bible readings and various solo and choral verse speaking.

Hannah Weakley, from Brigham, scooped a trophy for her rendition of Can You Feel the Love tonight from Disney’s The Lion King.

The 11-year-old said she was “really happy” to win the Kathryn Smith trophy.

Adjudicator Christina Thomson said the youngster’s performance was “beautiful and moving”.

And Brodie Doyle and James Parr, of Whitehaven, gained the Beehive trophy for their rendition of We’re All Made of Stars from the film Finding Neverland.

Mrs Thomson said the pair sang very well together.

Speaking about all of yesterday afternoon’s performances, Mrs Thomson said: “What a marvellous afternoon we have had.

“Thank you so much to all performers and the extremely supportive and very well-behaved audience, parents and children alike.

“Thank you to Chris Hunter and his committee for inviting me to be here. It’s the first time I have ever been here. I have very much enjoyed it so far.”

Also, scooping trophies at the festival were pupils from Kells Infants School, in Whitehaven, who won the choral speaking trophy for their narration of The Dandelion Puff by Mary K Robinson.

Alfie Thompson, from Kells Infant School, also won the Tony Roberts Trophy for solo speaking.

Sue Ross, assistant head teacher, said: “I’m very proud of them all. They have all put a lot of hard work in to learn the poem.

“Choral speaking is something we really value in school and we are take part in it every year.”

Maisie Byers from Broughton Primary School won the Kim Wooding Trophy for the solo verse speaking of My Garden Shed by Elizabeth Broughton.

Addison Jonker, of Penrith, won the Teasdale trophy for the solo verse speaking category of six to under eight-year-olds.

She presented a piece called Halfway Down by AA Milne.

The musical festival is in its 67th year.

Festival chairman Chris Hunter is inviting members of the community to attend the event which runs daily until Saturday.

New to the festival this year is the junior songs from the shows category this afternoon ( Thursday) for under-12s, sponsored by Beth McGarry.

Also continuing this year will be the senior X Factor and adult X factor categories. Winners of these classes will receive one free hour recording time to record their winning song at the Music Farm Recording Studio in Egremont.