MORE than 1,000 pupils exhibited their music and Welsh language skills throughout the week during Pontypool community council's inter-schools eisteddfod at yesterday's junior section.

Five hundred pupils from schools across the community packed into the sports hall at Abersychan comprehensive yesterday.

The excitement mounted as the talented youngsters competed against each other in singing, dancing and poetry recitation and there was only a handful of points between them.

Compre Lyn Samuel said the standard in what was the eighth eisteddfod was getting higher every year.

He said: "I believe that the pupils of this area could hold their heads up high in any competition in Wales.

"We are delighted with the progress made in the use of the Welsh language."

Overall winners were Griffithstown junior school and the winner of the South Wales Argus Cup for the choir section was Penygarn junior school.

* The overall winner of Wednesday's secondary school competition was St Albans RC High School.