EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Jade Crawford was more than a little nervous when she took part in a national jazz competition, playing the cymbals for the first time.

But her confidence was given a massive boost when she not only was judged the best cymbal player, she also took the top prize in the beauty contest.

Her mother, Anita Crawford, of New Brancepeth, near Durham, said Jade was part of the New Brancepeth Revellers at a contest in Craig Tara, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Jade won the Miss Junior UK Federation of Jazz Bands beauty contest.

Mrs Crawford said: "She used to be on the pom-poms for her band, but was placed on the cymbals for the first time, shortly before the contest.

"She was really nervous about it, but was over the moon when she came first in the cymbals and then won the beauty contest."