The Prince of Wales has commissioned a harp by local makers Telynau Teifi to be given as a prize at the Wales International Harp Festival in April.

The harp will be awarded to a young talented harpist under 19 at the festival, to be held at Galeri in Caernarfon, April 20 to 26.

Festival organisers expect competitors from as far afield as Hong Kong, Russia, Poland, Egypt, North America as well as local harpists from across the British Isles to compete in the four different competition categories.

The judges will award the harp, made by Llandysul based harp makers, Telynau Teifi to one harpist who comes to the fore in the under 13 or under 19 category. They will receive it alongside a scholarship, awarded to the best three in each age catergory.

Telynnau Teifi, formed in 2004, and their harps have been attracting attention from folk harpists from across the globe, resulting in orders from as far afield as New Zealand, Dubai, Finland, China and America.

Elinor Bennett, festival director, said: “His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales has long shown his support for the Welsh Harp tradition, and continues to retain an Official Harpist drawn from the pool of young talent emerging from Wales. This gift to the Festival again demonstrates his support for the musical craft as well as for Welsh craftsmanship and small social enterprises such as Telynau Teifi, who do so much to generate employment, develop sustainable skills and raise Wales’ profile internationally. We are delighted and extremely grateful for this very fitting gift that will receive a valued home with one of our talented competitors.”

A spokesman for The Prince of Wales said: "His Royal Highness is delighted to donate a harp as a prize to the Wales International Harp Festival. For many years, The Prince of Wales has sought to encourage appreciation of the harp and its importance to Welsh culture and tradition and, at the same time, give support and recognition to young Welsh harpists, so that they may continue their passion.”

For more detail visit www.walesharpfestival.co.uk .