THE hard work of two Kirkbie Kendal School music maestros has paid off with a string of accolades.

Sister and brother Helena and Declan Farrell, aged 15 and 13, are celebrating successes after hours of practice.

Helena achieved a Distinction for her grade seven cello exam and a Merit in a grade six singing exam in tests on the same day.

Both students also performed well at this year’s South Cumbria Musical Festival in Ulverston.

Declan won first prizes for violin and Helena for cello, also winning the Barrow Soroptimists Instrumental Trophy for ‘a promising competitor’.

Helena and Declan also study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and are rehearsing We Will Rock You, this year’s Kirkbie Kendal School musical.