MUSIC lovers are being urged to get their tickets for a relaunched competition featuring talented young musicians.

The Bromsgrove International Young Musicians' Competition, previously known as the Young Musicians' Platform, was founded in 1980 as an event to showcase gifted young performers by Bromsgrove Festival organiser Mary White, on the advice of Dr Donald Hunt.

Over the years many of the competitors went on to enjoy national, and international fame.

Last year a new group was formed, tasked with relaunching Bromsgrove Festival into a wider arts and cultural celebration.

And it was announced the prestigious competition would be breaking away from the festival.

Ian Morris, the competition's chairman, said: "Enthusiasts believed that the platform should be saved and continue separately from the festival, to which it has always been bound.

"The directors of the festival company were consulted and a resolution passed to allow this to occur."

The competition's trustees have drawn up a five-year business plan, and an application has been submitted for it to become a charitable organisation.

"The trustees are planning ambitious expansion of the competition in the next five years," Mr Morris said.

"The first aim is to raise the profile so it is rapidly acknowledged as a premier international music competition.

"The second is to create a platform for musicians still at school but not eligible for the senior competition. This would begin as a pilot venture for Worcestershire schools and then hopefully expand to become a platform of national eminence."

Bromsgrove District Council and Bromsgrove School have both agreed to support competition. Mr Morris said they had been fortunate to gain the Worcester Road school's support as a major partner as it will be providing a venue in its Routh Hall, accommodating both competitors and adjudicators.

The school has ambitions to modernise the hall to become a centre of excellence, with additional classrooms and rehearsals rooms, and it is hoped the competition could eventually find its permanent home at the centre.

This year's competition is being held at the hall from Thursday, April 3, to Sunday, April 6.

Entrants will be gradually eliminated in two rounds until the final day, when semi-finals will be followed by a final evening concert at 7pm on Sunday, April 6.

A panel of three distinguished adjudicators, led by Edmond Fivet CBE, will select the winners from three finalists, who will each present a 30-minute programme.

This year's winner receive a £3,000 cash prize, plus a paid recital opportunity, provided by Bromsgrove Concerts, to be given at next year's Bromsgrove Festival.

Tickets for the final evening cost £10, which includes a free programme. Tickets can be purchased through the Artrix's website, artrix.co.uk, or call 01527 577330. For more details visit bromsgrovecompetition.com.