THE pure voice of Canterbury choir boy Joel Whitewood has won him the prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year Award.

Joel, 12, wowed judges at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Four girls and four boys sang in the final, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 at 8pm on Sunday, November 4. There were two winners, one boy and one girl.

Joel was thrilled to be named Chorister of the Year. He said: "I was a bit nervous, although not as nervous as I thought I would be, and I enjoyed it a lot. I was really amazed and excited to win."

Joel, who lives Royds Road, Ashford, has been a Canterbury Cathedral chorister for two years.