ONE OF the biggest Young Farmers events of the year returned last weekend, with Kilmaurs YFC winning the West Area Talent Spot, in the SECC's Armadillo venue in Glasgow.

A stunning performance by the Kilmaurs cast saw them take the coveted trophy well ahead of the opposition with a score of 92.33 points from the three judges – Mrs Anne Hamilton, Stephen Gaughan and David Watson.

Their performance was 'High School life' a fast moving and well-stage managed effort produced by Robert Dykes and Emma Lindsay, with choreography also by Emma.

This really was a team effort by a large cast, which consisted of: Alison McCall, Beth Kerr, Cara Gilbert, Emma Lindsay, Emma Shanks, Jane Hamilton, Karen Shepherd, Kathryn Fairfull, Katie Burns, Katie Scott, Kim Erskine, Laura Scott, Lynne Carrick, Mhairi Templeton, Nicole Crawley, Rebecca Orr, Rosie Wilson, Zoe Wilson, Andrew Nisbet, Donald Erskine, Glen Smith, Jack Kerr, Jamie Clark, Jamie Simpson, Kerr Scott, Kerr Smith, Kyle Kirkland, Ross McCrone, Ross Montgomerie and Sandy Craig.

Lynne Carrick, Kilmaurs' outgoing secretary, commented: "After a long three years, it was great to be back to the Armadillo stage for West Talent Spot. Following many months of practising and a cancelled concert, there was no greater joy than winning the coveted competition on Saturday and lifting the Crystal Thistle.

"A huge achievement for our club having only won the competition twice before. It was a better end than Kerr and I could have ever imagined for our year as club chairman and secretary and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved!"

In the runner-up spot, with 88.66 points, was Mauchline YFC with their stunningly visual 'Bubble trouble', produced by Gail Woodburn and choreographed by Claire Templeton.

Another big cast, the participants were: Rachel Templeton, Jennifer Veitch, Catriona Bryson, Chloe Lochrie, Karen Howat, Lauren Young, Morven Guthrie, Robyn Cunningham, Caitlyn Cunningham, Laura Hutton, Lisa Rennie, Bronte Mangan, Kirsten Guthrie, Emily Morton, Eilidh Ramsay, Rosalyn Tudhope, Tom Howat, Callum Watson, Kyle Lamont, Ross Watson, David Howat, Cameron MacGregor, Craig Sloan, Alistair Middleton, Jack Dunlop , Gavin Gilliland, Angus Ritchie, Matthew Morrison, and Adam Frew.

Only a point behind was the third placed team from Lesmahagow YFC with their production, Winging it', produced and choreographed by Laura Smith.

Best individual act was performed by singer Ben Brown, from Loch Lomond YFC, as part of its performance of 'Making a brew: The inner workings'. He was just ahead of Emily Morton, from Mauchline.

Judged top of the front curtain acts, as chosen by the four-figure crowd, was a singular performance by Gregor Thomson, from Beith YFC, who wrote his own song.

The Talent Spot was again sponsored by Scotmin Nutrition, strong supporters of the event.