Now in its tenth year, the Young Folk Award is Radio 2's annual search for the most promising folk musicians in the UK. The event forms part of our commitment to nurturing new talent, and is open to anyone aged between fifteen and twenty, performing as a band, duo or soloist and performing traditional and acoustic music with roots in any culture. The prize is a major boost for a career in music. The prize is a major boost for a career in music. The winning individual, duo or group will record a session for The Mike Harding Show, perform at the Cambridge Folk Festival, Towersey Village Festival and Fairport’s Cropredy Convention next summer, and receive a year’s free membership to the Musicians’ Union.

The competition has given breaks to Jim Moray, Tim van Eyken and Uiscedwr. Current trophy-holders Last Orders have gone on to achieve major festival appearances since winning the award. John Tams said of the band: "They have a maturity of style that belies their youth - a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts and best of all a joy in sharing their music with others.

Full list of previous winners.

THE SEMI-FINAL
After an initial selection process, successful applicants are invited to take part in an exciting semi-final audition weekend, which this year will be held from October 19-21 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Participants will spend the weekend meeting other performers, playing in sessions and attending workshops led by Robert Harbron and Benji Kirkpatrick. On Saturday evening each semi-finalist will perform in an audition concert, open to the public, from which the judging panel will choose acts to go through to the final.

THE FINAL
The final, in the form of a concert in London compered by Mike Harding, will be held on 7 December 2007 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London. Highlights of the Final will be broadcast on Radio 2's Mike Harding Show.

THE JUDGES
The judging panel, yet to be finalised, will consist of music industry professionals.