TROWBRIDGE schoolgirl Rachel Stonham followed in the footsteps of her sister when she became Bath Young Musician of the Year.

It is believed it is the first time in the 30 year history of the event for two sisters to win in consecutive years.

Rachel, who is in the sixth form of John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge, was at The Pump Rooms to take on four other musicians who each had to give a recital of three pieces of music.

She performed on the violin and chose to play pieces by Beethoven, Paganini and Arnold. While the judges were discussing the winner her sister Katherine, who won last year, gave a recital on the piano playing Sonata by Antonio Soler and Pagodes by Claude Debussy.

The judges unanimously voted Rachel the winner. The chief judge said said: "Even while having to control the sensitive violin, with her double-stopped music from Paganini, and the rapport with her accompanist, her eyes were acting out the music and she communicated superbly with the audience."