SALISBURY singer Lily McCauley is thrilled to have the chance to perform live at this year’s Larmer Tree Festival after winning the Breakthrough Music Awards.

Six unsigned acts from around the UK played their hearts out in front of a panel of judges and a packed audience at Bournemouth's Sixty Million Postcards at the award’s final.

McCauley, from Salisbury, won Best Solo Act while Best Band went to the Welsh group, The Bleedin Noses.

She said: “As a child I used to go to the Larmer Tree Festival with my family and I remember making musical instruments for the parade at one of the children’s workshops so it's not only nostalgic but a very rewarding feeling to be returning as a performing artist.

“I'd practiced my set daily without fail to make sure it was the best it could be.

“Waiting to hear the results was tense but as my name was read out I was overcome with relief and gratitude as I've been working hard over the last year to focus creatively on developing my sound.

“Winning has given me a massive boost in confidence and I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity. This is my greatest achievement yet, it is so very exciting.”

Festival organiser James Shepard said: “At the end of the night, we were thrilled to announce Salisbury’s own Lily McCauley as the winner of the singer/songwriter category.“ For me, it was her song-writing ability that really stood out and made me choose her from a very strong field. Her first song La Dolce Vita grabbed my attention from the off.”

Day tickets for the opening night with Tom Jones have already sold out, but five or seven-day festival tickets are still available.

For full details about the festival go to larmertreefestival.co.uk.