Abergavenny Eisteddfod is launching its 2016 youth events on April 30 with new competitions to entice budding performers.

’Story telling’, new this year, invites anyone between the ages of 11 and 18 to perform the story behind a picture of their own choice on stage.

“Like the ’Story and Mime’ competition introduced last year,” said Colin Beynon, youth event organiser. “’Story Telling’ should appeal to members of drama clubs and public speaking enthusiasts, and we’re hoping for plenty of entries. ’Reading at Sight’ is another great opportunity to practise performing on stage, with no need to prepare in advance. These competitions give performers and audiences a lot of fun.”

As well as the drama categories, there is a whole range of singing, instrumental and dance competitions for 11-18 year olds to enter.

All competitors are welcome, wherever they are from and whether they want to perform in Welsh or English, and anyone is welcome to come in as a member of the audience, to enjoy Abergavenny’s version of the X factor.

Last year for the first time a music composition competition was trialled. It will be run again, inviting music students to submit a piece up to five minutes long for any combination of instruments. ’We’re hoping to play the winning composition in public on 30 April’ said Colin Beynon – ’It’ll be a world premiere for Abergavenny!’

On 30 April the morning is dedicated to the junior event for 5-11 year olds, followed by the 11-18s’ competitions in the afternoon.

Competitors have the perfect opportunity to practise their performing skills in advance of the National Eisteddfod coming to the town in August, and audience members will get a small flavour of the experience they can look forward to later in the summer.

More information about competitions, including prize money and deadlines for entry, can be found on www.abergavennyeisteddfod.co.uk or on the Abergavenny Eisteddfod’s Twitter page – @EisteddfodAberg.