A 16-YEAR-old singer-songwriter claimed the glittering accolade to open a spectacular music event in Saddleworth this summer.

Liberty Eaton beat off strong competition from eight other finalists in the 12 to 16 years age group auditions to headline at the prestigious Wellifest to be staged at Well-i-hole Farm, Greenfield,on Saturday, June 29.

A former student at Saddleworth School, Liberty learned the guitar two years ago with local guitar teacher Steve Robinson, and gave an acclaimed open mic spot In Dorset’s Bestival music festival.

And her proud parents said: “Winning the WelliFest competition may be the catalyst to give her the confidence to take her and her music to the next level.”

Runner up in the contest was Freja Hardman, aged 16, a student at Tameside College and former pupil at Mossley Hollins. The music-loving teenager is aspiring for a career in music or working with animals or animal care.

More than 160 people packed the Royal George function room, Greenfield, for the WelliFest auditions grand final which was judged by Stuart and Charlotte Coleman, musical impresario Rick Lees, singer songwriter Tom Gibson and hosted by Phil Grainger.

Speaking after the event, Stuart Coleman said: “The standard of singing and musicianship was extremely high making choosing a winner incredibly difficult.

“After a long discussion focused around performance, presence, complexity, musicianship and uniqueness the judges settled on Liberty and Freja. They blew us, and the audience, away with two unique outstanding performances that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Glastonbury.

“We should be very proud our local area is producing such incredible talent and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing all nine performers live on stage at the two shows this summer.”

And, as a generous gesture to celebrate the young artistes talent, all the contestants have been invited to perform live at Music On The Stage At Saddleworth Show, on Sunday, June 30.

Anthony Burke, co-chair of WelliFest and Saddleworth Show Organising Committee for Saddleworth and Oldham Metro Rotary clubs, said: “Special thanks to Jason Worthington and his team at the Royal George for their wonderful support.

“Jason provided the function room free of charge and a a complimentary meat and potato pie supper for all attendees and a gift of £50 meal vouchers to all contestants.

“The event was streamed on Facebook Live with one thousand one hundred “viewers watching at the time, and a total of two thousand, four hundred in the first 48 hours.”

He added: “These winning acts will add to the spectacular line-up at the not-to-be missed live event of WelliFest this Summer, raising funds for charitable causes.

“Discounted advance tickets are available to buy online now, please join in and support them at www.wellifest.com.”