Three young musicians have been awarded music scholarships from the Mayor of London’s music fund.

Viola player Lyla-Jean Francis, nine, who attends Hazlebury Junior School, electronic keyboard player Channa Timungwa, seven, of St Andrew’s CE Primary School and violinist Nathan Chenery, eight, who goes to George Spicer Primary School, were among the 70 people across the capital to given this year’s scholarships.

The scholarships are worth £280,000 and enable each child to be given more than two hours of learning and music-making a week as well as their own mentor.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Not every child can afford an instrument or the lessons they need to make real progress as musicians and the music fund is doing vital work to help hundreds of gifted youngsters towards realising their ambitions and achieve their full potential.

“In addition, as they develop as musicians these scholars are also gaining extra skills and experience that will be invaluable in all areas of their lives.”