A TALENTED young musician took the top prize in his first competition, winning a trophy for his former school and £100 for himself.

Saxophonist Daniel Johnson beat off competition from secondary schools across County Durham to win the Saint Cecilia Freemason Lodge's musical composition award.

The 17-year-old entered the contest with a piece of music called Storm of the Apocalypse, which he wrote on his GCSE music course at Tudhoe Grange School.

Daniel, of Woodside, Spennymoor, started playing the saxophone, clarinet and piano six years ago. He joined the school's concert and big bands and has performed as a soloist on school compact discs.

He was surprised to win his first contest, which was part of the Freemasonry in the Community Week.

Daniel's ambition is to study music at university and become a professional performer.

He said: "It was also nice to win a trophy for the school where I first started to learn music. I practise every day, but I never expected one of my compositions to win."

Daniel studies music at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, and is a member of Durham County wind and big bands.

He joined top North-East musicians to perform for the Queen when she visited the region on her golden jubilee tour.

Head of music at Tudhoe Grange School, Adrian Biddulph, said: "The school is very proud of him. We know he is an incredibly talented young musician and know he can go a long way."

Bill Watson, a competition judge, said: "The panel was very impressed with the whole composition, Daniel is incredibly talented."