Talented youngsters from Warminster hoping to follow a career in the creative and performing arts have received a financial boost from The Warminster Athenaeum Trust.

Eight local performers received money from the Sheila Toomey Award, which is an annual award to assist students with exceptional talent in the field of art, music and drama.

Laura Palmer, Carl Hodges, Nainasara Thada Magar, Jack Cray, Keira Cranfield, Ben Darby, Tash Ross and Shauna Phillips Newman have been given £2,650 between them to help with travel and audition expenses, as well as equipment and summer school courses.

Sheila Toomey was a well loved and respected resident in Warminster and after her memorial service in 2001 a fund was set up in her memory to support her greatest passions – children, arts and theatre.

The award, which is decided by an independent panel made up of the Warminster Athenaeum Trustees, has given out nearly £20,000 since it was set up.