A BIRMINGHAM musician who got his inspiration from Wren’s Nest nature reserve has won a major music competition.

Louis Clark's composition 'Siluria - the Dudley Bug' came out on top of the competition organised by well-known Hagley composer Andrew Downes.

The competition was open to all midlands composers, who had to produce a ten minute piece for a symphonic orchestra.

Birmingham-based Louis, who is 43 and teaches music, had to beat strong opposition, including Old Swinford Hospital School's 17-year-old Matthew Eden, who is principal brass trombone with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Three pieces were selected for the final which were performed in front of an audience by the Central England Ensemble at the Foleyan Centre at Old Swinford Hospital School (OSH) in Stourbridge.

Anna Downes, head of instrumental studies at the school said: "Both the audience and the orchestra were allowed to vote for the piece they liked the most, which counted for 50 per cent of the vote.”

The other 50 per cent was provided by the judges who were OSH director of music Tony Bridgewater, music shop owner Nathan Rose and Andrew Downes himself.

A delighted Louis Clark said: "We did a geology trip to Wren’s Nest when I was at school and it made a big impression upon me.

"I based the piece on Wren’s Nest and I was absolutely over the moon to have won. Just to have been on short-listed would have been enough for me and to have my music performed - but to win it was fantastic.

"I've never lost my love for Wren’s Nest and still visit the place three or four times a year.”

Music lover and Dudley North MP Ian Austin said: “I’ve been visiting the Wren’s Nest ever since I was growing up in Dudley.

“I think it’s fantastic that Louis has written this tribute to an area of our town that is absolutely unique in the world.”