Winners announced for the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year

Guildford School of Acting student Courtney Bowman has won this year's Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year.

Bowman, 21, was selected out of 12 finalists at the 10th anniversary gala held at the Novello Theatre this weekend. She netted the £1000 first prize after performing "Me and My Town" from Anyone Can Whistle and "The Driving Lesson" from Heart of Winter by Tim Connor.

Eleanor Jackson (24, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School) was named runner up.

This year's Stiles and Drewe Prize for Best New Song went to Tim Connor for "Back To School" from Heart of Winter, and the inaugural Stiles and Drewe Mentorship Award went to Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings for their new musical The Wicker Husband.

This year's judging panel included lyricist Don Black, directors Thea Sharrock and Lotte Wakeham and actresses Anne Reid MBE and Sophie-Louise Dann.