A TAVISTOCK primary school teacher has had her musical creation voted in as the new theme tune to celebrate Devon.

Karen Higginson, who teaches at Whitchurch Primary School, found out she had won Devon County Council's Song4Devon competition live on the BBC Radio Devon Breakfast Show on Monday.

Karen's song 'D-E-V-O-N' was one of four finalists whose tunes were put to the public vote on the Devon County Council website.

Karen said: 'Wow! We are so pleased that the public has voted for our song. The children loved the whole experience of taking part, and the whole school will be over the moon.

'This will add extra spice to their end of term celebrations. Thanks to everyone who supported us.'

A Royal College of Music graduate, Karen underwent further training to teach music at secondary and primary school level and has been at Whitchurch School for three years.

She teaches Year Three and is also the music co-ordinator.

Karen, whose song was entered in the 'Song for a Primary School' category added: 'I enjoy writing songs in school to help the children learn things like maths and science, but have never written any "proper" songs before.

'The inspiration for the song came from moving to Devon and discovering its many attractions, and from seeing the lifestyle that children in Devon enjoy.

'I wanted the song to be catchy and fun to sing.

'I also hoped it would be useful and adaptable as an advertisement for Devon, in that it describes some of the many and varied reasons to visit.'

Headteacher Angela O'Shea Warman said everyone at the school was 'so excited'.

'The children are delighted and so proud of Karen. They were involved in the production of the song, so we are all in party mood,' she said.

'Music is at the heart of the school, so we are delighted.'

The Song4Devon competition was launched earlier this year after Devon County Council wanted to find a memorable and catchy song to celebrate Devon's unique, vibrant character, appealing to a wide variety of people.

Four finalists were chosen by a panel of judges and their songs professionally recorded and played on BBC Radio Devon's breakfast programme by presenter Matt Woodley last week.

Devon County Council's Deputy Leader John Smith said: 'What a great winner! This song is exactly what we were looking for and I have every confidence we will be hearing it not just in primary schools throughout the county but in churches, community halls, civic centres — just about anywhere.

'It's a bright and positive song which paints a wonderful picture of our county. Well done to Karen, and indeed to all the finalists whose songs I also hope have captured people's imaginations.'

Karen will receive £2,000 worth of vouchers to spend at Project Music, an Exeter music shop and sponsors of the competition, with the three runners up each receiving £500 of vouchers.