MORE than 20 pupils at a Westcliff school have won awards at Leigh Musical Festival.

St Hilda’s School, Imperial Avenue, saw 22 children win prizes in the drama category of the annual festival, including six gold, seven silver and four bronze medals, as well as plenty of merit and honour prizes.

Winners included Samuel Berry, 11, the only male St Hilda’s entrant, who won a bronze medal in the Beatrix Potter reading class for children aged 15 or under, and fellow pupil Sahar Rafiei, 13, who clinched gold in the same class.

Drama teacher Ann Barber, who first performed herself at the Leigh festival more than 35 years ago, said: “It gives all the drama students a wonderful platform to perform in public and gain constructive and helpful criticism from professionals. They gain so much confidence.”

Headteacher Susan O’Riordan said: “Our students excel year on year at the festival.

“Their success reflects a great deal of hard work and effort.”