THORNBURY's popular young people's music and drama eisteddfod - an integral part of the town's Arts Festival - got underway this week.

Eisteddfod committee chairman Tony Wilcock said that once again the response from youngsters in Thornbury and district had been excellent.

"We have 360 entries and that means more than 700 young people will be taking part," he said. "It's enormously encouraging that the eisteddfod remains so popular and that so many schools and individuals want to demonstrate their skills and expertise.

"With so many people involved as well as adjudicators it requires a great deal of organising. But it's well worthwhile, especially as it encourages young people to pursue excellence in music, speech and drama.

"The celebration concert on Sunday, March 6 will be a really special occasion, featuring not just the class winners but an across the board selection of performers."

Held at three venues - the Castle and Sheiling Schools and St Mary's Church - and sponsored by Thornbury Lions and youth service Connexions West of England, the eisteddfod includes competition classes in woodwind, brass, piano, strings, vocal, choirs, orchestras and musical groups and speech and drama.

Music categories got underway on Wednesday in Castle School's main hall with classes for choirs and vocal ensembles.

Today, at the same venue, children's orchestras will be put through their paces and tomorrow St Mary's Church will be full of song when young people aged up to 25 give their all in the vocal category.

Competitors in the piano and strings category will be performing in the Thorn Hall at Sheilings School on Sunday while on Monday brass and woodwind players will be assessed by an adjudicator in St Mary's.

Further vocal classes will be held in the church next Saturday (February 12) after which there is a hiatus until Monday, February 28 and Tuesday, March 1 when the speech and drama categories are held at Sheilings School.

The number of eisteddfod awards has been boosted in recent years thanks to Thornbury individuals, businesses and organisations who have donated cups and organisers will be presenting well over 40 trophies.