Vale of Glamorgan schools excelled in a variety of categories at this year's Welsh Language Festival, Urdd Eisteddfod, held in Meifod, Powys over half-term.

This year the Urdd celebrated a record-breaking 100,454 children and young people registering to compete in more than 400 competitions including more Welsh learners than ever before.

Among the many accomplished singers, dancers and other entrants, pupils from Ysgol Sant Baruc, Ysgol Pen Y Garth, Ysgol Sant Curig, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and Llantwit Major Secondary School participated in this year's event and placed highly in a range of categories.

Sant Curig pupil, Ewan James Baker, scooped up the first-place prize for Guitar Solo Years 6 and under. Sant Curig Pupils were also awarded second place in the Band / Individual Artists category for primary school-aged pupils.

Sant Baruc pupils came second in the Instrumental Ensemble Years 6 and under category, with Pen Y Garth pupils snapping up second place in the Creative Dance category.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg excelled in a range of solo and group events during the festival. Pupil Eleanor Rose Baker came first in the Guitar Solo Years 7, 8 and 9, whilst her peer Stephanie Angela Maurer bagged the top spot for Guitar Solo Years 10 and above and under 19-years-old.

Bro Morgannwg pupils also excelled in the Instrumental Ensemble Years 7, 8 and 9 and Multimedia Dance Year 7 to under 25-years-old, taking home the gold for both categories.

Their SATB choir also came second in the Year 13 and under category.

Llantwit Major High School also struck gold with pupil Daisy Grace Jones earning first-place in the Woodwind Solo Year 10 to under 19-years-old competition.

"The festival is such a wonderful showcase and celebration of Welsh language, culture, and talent and to see young people from the Vale succeed in a record-breaking attendance year is truly amazing.

"A huge congratulations to all participating schools, you should be very proud of yourselves – da iawn i chi gyd!" 

Pupils from Ysgol Iolo Morganwg in Cowbridge also performed alongside Ian 'H' Watkins. The Steps star who set up Cowbridge Pride three years ago invited Iolo Morgannwg pupils to co-write Bydd yn ti dy hun – which translates to Be Yourself – alongside Welsh singer Caryl Parry Jones.

Iolo Morgannwg pupils performed the song, which focuses on words of kindness and self-acceptance, with peers from Ysgol Ponardwe in Neath Port Talbot, where next year's festival will be held.