Havering’s newest over-60s musician of the year has been crowned at a special ceremony.

The Queen’s Theatre in Billet Lane, Hornchurch, was filled with music and talent with competitors displaying a range of styles with everything from pop to jazz, country and classical.

Eventually three winners were chosen from the 18 entries. The first place prize went to singer Freda Collier, Michael Joy also a singer was the runner-up.

Pianist Sheila Fitzgerald finished in third place.

Cllr Lynden Thorpe, Mayor of Havering, who presented the winners with their prizes, said: “I’m pleased I wasn’t on the panel of judges as it was an extremely close competition this year and I’m sure they found it really difficult to crown a winner, but eventually these three superb contestants stood out.

“It gave me great pleasure to present the winners of this competition with their well-deserved prizes.”

The competition is run annually in a partnership between the London Borough of Havering and the Queen’s Theatre.