STOURBRIDGE-born Christopher Totney has won an international competition for new choral works.

Chris, aged 28, a former chorister at St Thomas’s Church and ex-pupil of Old Swinford Hospital School, composed an anthem based on biblical texts, The Mystery of Christ, for four vocal parts with piano accompaniment.

The competition was just one event organised by a trust set up to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible.

One of the sponsors was Westminster Abbey, and Chris was presented with the £2,000 prize by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who married Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29.

The work will be published by the Royal School of Church Music and performed later this year by the Millennium Youth Choir.

Chris was urged to enter the competition by his wife Jennifer and was later contacted to say he had reached the final, hosted by Katie Derham in Temple Church, London.

There were two categories: a shorter work for non-professional choirs and a longer work for experienced or professional choirs.

Chris entered the short category and the eight finalists heard their anthems sung by the Royal College of Music Junior Chamber Choir.

Now living in Wiltshire, Chris is assistant director of music at Dauntsey’s School, and organist and choirmaster at St John’s Church, Devizes.

The winning works were featured on Aled Jones’ Radio 3 show The Choir.