A talented harpist has been crowned the best young musician in Wales.

Heledd Wynn Newton, 20, from Cardiff, won the inaugural Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition at the North Wales International Music Festival.

The final, which took place at St Asaph Cathedral, was recorded by BBC Radio Cymru and saw Heledd come out on top.

Heledd, who has been playing the harp for more than 12 years, is tutored by internationally acclaimed virtuoso Catrin Finch, who was the Royal Harpist to King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales.

She said: "I've always been her number one fan.

"I remember going to her concerts when I was little and she's amazing.

"I'm so lucky to have lessons with her.

"I'm anxious to send her a text message to tell her I've won this prize."

Heledd won the Pendine Trophy and a cash prize of £2,000, which she plans to use to pay for music lessons.

She is currently in the third year of a Bachelor's degree in music and is considering further study for a Master’s degree in performing.

Heledd added: "I've had a great time listening to all the other performers and there was a wonderful atmosphere here with wonderful acoustics."

The competition, which was sponsored by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, saw a range of musicians and vocalists compete for the top spot.

Other finalists included pianist Rufus Edwards, trumpeters Alice Newbould and Thea Ormrod, harpist Annest Mair Davies, and vocalists Branwen Medi Jones, Kizzy Lumley-Edwards, and Leisa Mair Lloyd-Edwards.

The panel of adjudicators, which included Lisa Tregale, former principal of Chetham’s School of Music Alun Jones, former Royal Harpist Alis Huws, and Dutch-born pianist Cyrill Ibrahim, had the task of deciding the winner.

Lisa, director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, said: "It's been a really tough job and my heart is full of joy for the future of music.

"We have based our decision on tonight's performance and not just technique but the nature of the programme and their communication with the audience."

Mario Kreft MBE, the proprietor of the Wrexham and Caernarfon-based Pendine Park care organisation, was full of praise for the competition and its winner.

He said: "We had a very, very strong group of young people taking part in this inaugural competition.

"There was such a variety of instruments and voice and an age range of 13 to 21.

"It was a fascinating evening and it ended with a very worthy winner in Heledd Wynn Newton."

Mario continued: "It has all the makings of being a very important competition and I think in years to come it will be one of the premier competitions for young musicians and will hopefully assist them and propel them in their careers."

The competition was the brainchild of the festival’s new artistic director, royal composer Paul Mealor.

He said: "You can go to any of the top music festivals in the world and you won't find anyone better than those competing here today.

"It was outstanding and we have been given a real treat here tonight."