Young musicians of Powys are being given an extended invitation to enter the inaugural Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition.

The competition forms part of the North Wales International Music Festival, which will be held at St Asaph Cathedral from September 12 to September 21.

The festival's headline sponsor, care organisation Pendine Park, is funding the competition via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust.

The performances during the final will be broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru, and the winner will receive a cash prize of £2,000 and the Pendine Trophy.

The winner will also be invited to perform again at next year's festival.

The event's new artistic director, royal composer Paul Mealor of Connah’s Quay, is overseeing the competition.

He follows in the footsteps of his mentor, fellow royal composer William Mathias, who founded the festival.

Speaking about the competition, Mr Mealor said: "This can be a launching pad for a fledgling career because you’re performing to top class people."

Amongst other programmed events at the festival is the world premiere of a community opera to mark the 90th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster.

Also taking place will be performances by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Foden's Band, and folk outfit Ar Log.

Baritone Jeremy Huw Williams will explore the music of festival founder Mr Mathias, as well as the music of Fauré, while the combined choirs of Trystan Lewis's North Wales Choral Union will perform Mendelssohn's Elijah.

The Festival Fringe, taking place in other venues in St Asaph, will feature an RnB/hip-hop concert with Aisha Kigs, Welsh folk music with Angharad Jenkins and Patrick Rimes, a poetry and literary evening with poet Grahame Davies, and a North Wales Comedy Night.

The event's supporters include the Arts Council of Wales, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Arts & Business Cymru, Tŷ Cerdd, and Salisburys Chartered Accountants, as well as the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Denbighshire.

Entries to the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition can be made on the festival's website at www.nwimf.com, with the deadline now extended to 5pm on Friday, September 6.

The Grand Final will take place at St Asaph Cathedral on Wednesday, September 18, at 7pm.

Tickets are available on www.nwimf.com, and can also be purchased from Cathedral Frames, St Asaph on 01745 582929 (Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm) and Theatr Clwyd on 01352 344101 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm).