SAXOPHONIST Jenny Watson has proved she is one of the country's top young musicians after gaining a 100pc mark in her music A-level.

The Lostock teenager was in shock when she received an official letter informing her that she was one of only five people in the country to be awarded full marks in this year's exam.

Jenny, aged 18, also earned a grade A in music technology - which involves composing and recording music - and topped her classmates at the prestigious Chethams School of Music in Manchester by getting the highest marks in the subject.

Jenny, who also plays the flute, violin and piano, said: "I was hoping I would get the grades I achieved but I was really shocked when I found out what my marks were."

A former pupil of Claypool Primary and Rivington and Blackrod High schools, Jenny showed musical promise at an early stage.

She started playing the violin at the age of four and joined Bolton Training Orchestra when she was eight, later becoming leader and progressing to the Junior Youth Orchestra when she was ten.

Jenny has been part of a number of Bolton musical ensembles including the Bolton Youth Concert Band, New Century Strings, Bolton Youth Flute Choir and the Bolton Youth Orchestra.

She gained a place at Chethams at the age of 15.

Jenny now plans to study the saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Eventually, she is planning a career that involves performing in bands and composing music for TV and film.

The talented teenager regularly plays in concerts for her school and plays the saxophone in the the Urbis Quartet, performing at venues including Manchester's Bridgewater Hall and Arley Hall, Cheshire.

Over the years she has played at the Royal Albert Hall in London and at Bolton's twin towns Le Mans and Paderborn.

She enjoys playing contemporary music most of all.

Her delighted mum Anne Watson said "I've no idea where she gets her talent from. Neither of us are musical. All the drive and enthusiasm comes from her."

Mrs Watson paid tribute to Bolton Music Service. She added: "She wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for them."