THE North East’s position as a hotbed of traditional music was confirmed at the national BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Northumbrian piper, fiddler and composer Kathryn Tickell – artistic director of Folkworks at The Sage Gateshead – was announced as musician of the year.

Emily Portman, one of the graduates of Newcastle University’s folk and traditional music degree course, won best original song for Hatchling.

Finally, the band Bellowhead, whose line-up also contains graduates from the Newcastle University course, won best album for Broadside.

The Newcastle University degree course is hosted by The Sage Gateshead and every year brings forth new talent. Kathryn Tickell is one of the course tutors.

She said: “It was a fantastic night, showing the breadth, diversity and increasing popularity of folk music and song in Britain.”

Other winners included Lau, whose groundbreaking yet playful approach to traditional music earned them the best group prize.

They will be performing at The Sage Gateshead on April 18.