A GIFTED musician has received a prestigious national accolade.

Halton music teacher Lucy Pankhurst is the first female composer to win the 2011 British Composer Award for a brass piece.

Her poignant composition, ‘In Pitch Black’, was written to commemorate the centenary of the Pretoria Pit disaster which killed 344 men and boys.

Tenor horn player, Lucy, aged 30, of Widnes town centre, said: “I was completely stunned. My heart was pounding.

“I never thought I was in with a chance of winning.

“This was one of the country’s worst mining disasters. It totally devastated local communities.

“I chose the title because the miners would have been plunged into complete darkness.

“I immersed myself in the story. It was incredibly emotional.”

Hours after winning the award, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday, she received enquiries about possible commissions.

Former Fairfield High School pupil, Lucy, said: “It is very exciting.

“I have already had people get in touch about possible projects.

“In the world of brass bands, to have a piece recognised by esteemed composers is incredible.”

Lucy teaches a whole class of children at her former school, Moorfield Primary, to play brass instruments.

She said: “The thing I love most is sharing music with children. It’s a joy.

“The first time you hear the whole band is very exciting.”

Andy Williams, head teacher of Moorfield Primary School, said: "Lucy is a wonderful role model for our pupils, and the fact that she is a former pupil of Moorfield Primary makes it even more satisfying.

"Lucy is very passionate about her work and she transmits her love of music to the children during their weekly brass lessons.

"Not only is she a wonderful musician, but she is equally a wonderful person.

"We are all so proud of her achievements and feel it is a privilege to have someone of such a high calibre committed to working with our children."

Sarah Rodgers, chairman of the British Composer Awards, said: “The British Composer Awards juries are looking for contemporary classic music which shows flair, originality and power of communication.”

Lucy teaches at Windmill Hill, Hill View and Westfield in Runcorn and St Bede’s and St Michael’s in Widnes.