The sound of music and poetry has been filling the corridors of the Guildhall for the 113th Mid-Somerset Festival.
Young people from across Bath and north east Somerset have been performing as part of the ten-day event which encourages school children to try their hand at writing poetry and short stories, recite prose and play musical instruments in front of an audience.
Jane Riekemann, who is in charge of the creative writing categories at the competition, said they had received 240 entries.
"What is really, really important is that we have a very, very large amount of entries from the state sector, schools like Freshford and WASPS, as well as a lot of private schools."
The creative writing categories were this year judged by Bath novelist Marie-Louise Jensen.
The original poetry class for 11 year olds was won by Freya Kemp from Box who wrote When I Walked Home From School That Night, which described the sounds and sights on a walk home.
The Box Primary pupil said it was the first time she had entered the festival.
"I feel proud of myself. The poem just came to me. I usually write stories."
Freya was joined at the festival by her mother Wendy, who was also cheering on her other daughters Isla, nine, and seven-year-old Amelia.
"I am very proud of them and pleasantly surprised at Freya's success. It's been lovely listening to the children come in and read things - it's so good for their confidence."
Alice Hawes, from the Paragon School, was performing in a flute trio after being part of the winning choir for the sacred and secular class.
The 11-year-old said she took part in the festival last year and enjoyed it.
"I like doing it because I really enjoy music and it's fun."
Her mother Sarah said the festival was a good experience for the children.
"I think it's really good for all the children who are learning an instrument to know that fairly regularly they will be performing in front of people because it helps them enjoy the nerves and share music. The more they do it the more they get used to it."
