Entertainment

Peter Moore, 12, winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year award

A 12-year-old trombonist has become the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year award.

Peter Moore, of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, battled against four other talented youngsters in the grand final of the competition, staged at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, this weekend.

Even the news that his football team Manchester City had suffered an 8-1 defeat this afternoon couldn't wipe the smile off Belfast-born Peter's face.

He said: "It's not sunk in at all. It probably won't until next week. I couldn't believe it when they read my name out, and it all seemed to happen quickly.

"It feels so good to join all the big names that have won before, and think of how prestigious it is. To be the youngest winner is just amazing. But I don't think age really matters in a competition like this."

Peter, who moved from Northern Ireland at the age of eight, has held the position of Principal Trombone of the National Children's Band of Great Britain for the last three years.

His choice of instrument didn't come as a surprise for his family, who are all brass players.

Peter, who is in his third year at Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, and enjoys doing magic tricks, said: "I think playing the trombone is fun. It's something I always wanted to do. I didn't want to pick a boring instrument. In the future, I'd love to give concerts and entertain people, because I just enjoy playing so much. I think more young people should get into classical music, as it's a good way of educating you about music."

Judges for the competition included former royal harpist Catrin Finch, 27, and violinist Nicola Benedetti, 21, who won the competition in 2004 and was named best young British classical performer at the Classical Brit Awards this week.

They were joined by Dr Who orchestrator and conductor Ben Foster, award-winning conductor Paul Daniel and music critic Richard Morrison.