Woman scoops top Urdd crown prize

The crown at the largest youth festival in Wales, which is being held in Ceredigion, has been won by a 21-year-old local woman.

Catrin Haf Jones, of Aelwyd Aeron, near Aberaeron, said winning the prestigious literary prize so close to home "was a wonderful thing".

The law graduate is currently reading a Masters degree in Welsh and creative writing at Bangor University.

The Urdd Eisteddfod is being held in Llanerchaeron, near Aberaeron.

Crown winner Ms Haf Jones said: "Winning the crown so close to home is a wonderful feeling.

"I would especially like to thank my Welsh teachers at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron and the Welsh department at Bangor University for their support.

The winners of other top awards at the festival included Llyr Gwyn Lewis, originally from Caernarfon, but now of Oxford, who won the chair.

The composer section was won by Arwel Rhys Williams, from Anglesey, while Jack Pulman-Slater, from Pembrokeshire, scooped the Welsh learner's medal.

Meanwhile, Manon Wyn Williams, of Rhosmeirch, Anglesey was awarded the drama medal.

Gwennan Evans, from Cardiff, came second in the crown and Gwawr Eleri Jones, from Lampeter finished third.

This year, the replica of the crown was given by Gwenan and Deian Creunant, from Aberystwyth, in memory of their parents Alun and Megan Creunant Davies.

The eisteddofod was expected to attract 100,000 visitors and ends on Saturday.