THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE Youth Wind Orchestra can now boast to be one of the finest county wind bands in the country.

On Saturday, April 12 the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra received a gold award in their debut performance at the prestigious National Concert Band Festival, the largest wind band and jazz ensemble festival in the UK.

Conductor Steven Legge said: “The students have worked so hard over the last four years to raise the profile and standard of GYWO and have been rewarded with opportunities to perform at some of the great concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London.

“Winning the gold award at the 2014 National Concert Band Festival is yet another national award for a youth music group who’ve secured themselves as amongst the very best in the UK.”

Bass clarinet player Eddie May said: “I'm one of the orchestra’s newest members.

"There’s a good social aspect and I've already performed at the National Concert Band Festival in Cheltenham where we won a platinum award, this was a great buzz.

"Birmingham was also good fun and we were happy to get gold. I love being part of such a high standard and social group.”

Cllr Paul McLain, Cabinet member for children and young people said: “This is fantastic news. "They’ve all worked hard together to prepare for this performance and it’s paid off.

"Congratulations to these young people for achieving the gold award.

"They’ve made our county proud.”