THE musical talent of young performers from Gwent and beyond shone out at the Abergavenny Eisteddfod.

Throughout the day, children and teenagers took part in competitions at the town's King Henry VIII Comprehensive School.

And the cream of the talent then took part in a concert at Abergavenny Borough Theatre in the evening.

One of the stars of the show was harpist Benjamin Creighton Griffiths, who is just nine. He beat off competition much older than himself to win the Under 25 instrumental solo.

Benjamin, from the Cathedral School in Llandaff, Cardiff, played Minstrel Adieu and Nataliana to scoop the award.

Ann Griffiths, chairwoman of the Lady Llanover Society, which sponsors the eisteddfod, said history had been made.

"We have seen a star of the future," she said.

Benjamin's father Michael said: "He was ever so pleased to win. In the morning he did his grade five theory exam and did this in the evening. "It was a very big day for him and he is over the moon.

"It was a lovely Eisteddfod - it was like people going along and having fun rather than a competitive atmosphere."

Four other young soloists also gave rousing performances during the evening.

Jazz pianist Elis Reed and budding actor Isaac Pritchard, both 13 and from Abergavenny, trombonist Gareth Robinson, who is 16 and from Hirwaun, and 15-year-old singer Hannah Parry-Jones, from Crickhowell, were selected as the four best performers of the afternoon sessions.

They were each awarded a special eisteddfod prize by secretary and treasurer Councillor Douglas Edwards. Eighteen-year-old Alison Pope, from Cwmbran, won the new song from a musical competition, while Elin Pritchard from Cardiff, won the Abergavenny Music prize for Under 25 Solo.

The champion solo, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Abergavenny, was won by singer Camille Butcher from Cardiff.

Clive Howells, president elect of the Rotary club, presented the award and a cheque to sponsor next year's competition.

"We are delighted to support such a worthwhile venture," he said. "We wanted to make sure the eisteddfod has a good start for 2006."