Teenage singing sensation Charlotte Church is among the stars who will perform at the first ever Classical Brit Awards.

The 14-year-old from Cardiff will be joined by classical violinist Nigel Kennedy for the new event.

The ceremony has been established to mark the achievements of classical musicians and rising sales of classical music.

The event, at the Royal Albert Hall on 6 May, will be filmed for broadcast a fortnight later.

Wider audience

Rob Dickins, chairman of the British Phonographic Industry which organises the event, said: "Classical music has over recent years spread its influence to encompass all kinds of markets and in doing so is reaching a much wider audience.

"The strict and somewhat old-fashioned conformities of the past have been eroded and music is the winner.

"The Classical Brits aims to reflect the widening of the music and the audience," he added.

Also performing on the night will be Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, soprano Lesley Garrett, Cecilia Bartoli and the English Chamber Orchestra.

The Brits proper - the most prestigious awards in the UK pop calendar - take place on Friday.