The Guild: Two thousand entries for Manx Music Festival

The competition has 162 separate classes held over nine days in Douglas

More than 2,000 people will compete in this year's Manx Music Festival on the Isle of Man.

Known locally as 'The Guild', the competition, which was first held in 1892, has 162 classes in singing, music, speech and dance.

The competition will be held at the Villa Marina in Douglas over nine days, ending on 3 May.

The climax will see solo finalists compete for The Guild's ultimate prize, the Cleveland Medal.

International mezzo soprano Maria Jagusz will judge the final before performing herself.

Organiser Zoë Cannell said: "We have classes to cover almost every type of music from popular to classical and opera.

"Our youngest competitor is five and our oldest is 99."

Sarah Kelly, who organises the trophies, said: "When you see them all lined up it is incredible.

"They date back to when the festival started 122 years ago and have been donated by Manx Associations around the world."

The Festival is a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.