Eight hundred singers took part in a single competition for choirs at the National Eisteddfod

Eight hundred singers took part in a single competition for choirs at the National Eisteddfod.

They were members of 14 choirs which introduces new choirs, specially formed choirs, community choirs or choirs who are new to competing at the Eisteddfod.

Any combination of style of singing was allowed and the choirs were asked to present two contrasting own-choice pieces of up to eight minutes.

The largest choir taking part were Corgannwg which featured 117 singers in all.

Musical director Catrin Williams said the choir were formed last November and consists of pupils and former pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg in Barry.

"We also have prospective pupils as well as teachers and former teachers as well as some grandparents and other friends of the school. They range in age from 10 to 80 years old." she said.

Catrin added the choir was formed to celebrate the school's 25th anniversary.

Asked if the choir was to carry on after the National Eisteddfod she said: "We'll talk about it," she said.

Another choir that took part in the competition was the Landsker Singers from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Founded in 1990 by Edmund Walters and Shirley Williams - the choir mainly includes members of the farming community along the Landsker line, the imaginary line that divides Pembroke linguistically.

And in keeping with the name, half of the choir speak Welsh and the other half are non-Welsh speaking.

Last year the choir celebrated its 35th anniversary, with a major concert at St David's Cathedral over the St David's Day weekend.

The choir focused on singing more in Welsh this year leading up to the Steddfod. Conductor Benjamin Richards said that the non-Welsh speaking members had enjoyed the challenge of learning a piece entirely in Welsh.

After the competition, the judge decided to present the first prize to Corgannwg with Choir Preseli second and Choir Caerwedros and the Cylch third.

The competition was the second of the opening weekend to feature a large number of choirs. On Saturday ten choirs took part in a competition organised by Cymdeithas Eisteddfod Cymru.

All the choirs had competed at least in two of the dozens of smaller Eisteddfodau staged across Wales each year.

The competition was won by Côr Bryn Owain from Cowbridge with Cor Godre'r Garth, Cardiff second and Côr y Gleision, Cardiff placed third.