Maiden prize for young Annan singer Isla

Isla Cooper, 12, from Annan has been voted the first ever Maiden of Music at the grand finale of the festival.
The vote was close – as the Annan Academy pupil finished just one vote ahead of double act Kirsty Hunter and Lauren McDaid – who in turn finished just a single vote ahead of acapella quartet Loka.
Carol Brotherston, one of the Maidens of Music festival and competition organisers, said: “It was a great evening and the audience voting shows what an incredibly close finish it was.
“Isla is a very worthy winner, there’s definitely something very special about her and we hope she will go far.”
The young singer entertained the audience at The Live Lounge, English Street, Dumfries, with a series of covers from top performers including Adele.
Compered by Andrea and Lee Thompson Medd of Alive Radio, the evening also saw additional entertainment from Kinky Boots.
Maidens of Music has seen events take place across Dumfries on Saturdays in May and attracted around 1000 festival goers as well as around 150 performers including soloists, bands and choirs.
Each week one act was selected to go on to the competition finals.
The festival was set up because Carol and her friends believe that with a bit more encouragement and support there are many more women who would really enjoy getting involved with the world of music.
She said: “We wanted to provide a stage for female musicians, to get them heard and give them the confidence to go on to bigger things.”