Three budding musicians have won scholarships from the Mayor’s Music Fund to help them develop their skills.

Cellist Lola Stubbs, eight, and violinists Elijah Masih, nine, and Sulamita Livramento, nine, were among 70 talented musicians to win the four-year scholarships.

Worth a total of £420,000, the Mayor's Music Scholarships is aimed at children from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with an extensive programme of music tuition and support they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Elijah, who attends Childs Hill School, Lola who goes to Christ Church, and Edgware Junior School pupil Sulamita will all receive more than two hours of learning and music-making sessions every week.

They will also get opportunities to perform and attend concerts and live gigs.

Mayor's Music Fund chief executive Ginny Greenwood said: “One theme runs through the comments from the children and their families and that's the sense of pride they have in being a Mayor's Music Scholar.

“For many of the children this is the first time they have excelled at anything. Shy, nervous, recently arrived in the UK, these obstacles melt away when they’re given the support and encouragement to make music with a group of other children all wanting their talent to shine through.”