THREE talented young musicians have been rewarded for their outstanding ability by being picked to play for some of the UK's top junior orchestras.

Trombonist James Bluff, 12, violinist Anna Tindall, 13, and cellist Meera Raja, 14 - all pupils at Bancroft's School in Woodford Green High Road - can look forward to playing alongside some of the best young performers in the country after excelling on their chosen instruments.

James will take up a place at Under-13 level with the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO) of Great Britain - after being picked out from more than 800 children at auditions held across the country.

The youngster, who started playing the trombone four years ago after having a go on one of the school's spare instruments, said: "I'm really looking forward to going on the music courses with children of my own age and playing in the NCO concerts next year."

Anna started playing the violin when she was at Wanstead Church School, in Year 3, and has now been chosen to play in the Essex Young People’s Orchestra (EYPO).

As part of the EYPO she will attend residential courses during school holidays, play in concerts and take part in the main summer tour.

Meera has just come to the end of her time playing in the National Children’s Orchestra with a recent concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

She has been a member of the Essex Young People’s Orchestra for a year and studies with the Royal College of Music's junior department on the weekend.

School spokeswoman Karen Rogers said: "All three children are music scholars at Bancroft’s and, in addition to these musical commitments, all contribute to the musical life of the school by playing in various school groups and singing in choirs.

"Each of them is involved in music in the wider community."