THE woman behind the Teignmouth annual harp festival is now in charge of one of Europe's most prestigious music events.

Florence Sitruk (right) has just been appointed artistic director of The Festival Les Museiques, which celebrates its tenth anniversary next year with ten concerts in Basel, Switzerland.

She is one of the world's top harpists, and was responsible for the revival of the popularity of the 19th century harpist and composer, Elias Parish Alvars, who lived in Teignmouth.

One of the patrons of the Teignmouth harp festival, Cllr Sylvia Russell, said she was thrilled at the news.

'Florence is a lovely, very talented lady, and a great friend of Teignmouth.

'Her new appointment shows how highly she is regarded in Europe and we will be sending her our congratulations'.