BEING nominated for four major awards was brilliant for Yelverton-based rising folk star Cara Dillon and partner Sam Lakeman — but winning two was even better.

On Monday singer Cara, 26, went to London with her producer and co-song writer Sam for the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

The four categories that her album 'Cara Dillon' was nominated for were: best album, best singer, the Horizon Award for best newcomer and best rendition of a traditional song for her track 'Black in the Colour'.

She won the Horizon Award, presented by singer Cerys Matthews, and also best traditional track award which was presented by Radio 2's Johnnie Walker.

'We were overwhelmed getting the two awards. There was only one other person who got two awards at the ceremony,' said Cara.

'To get the best newcomer was fantastic — and the best traditional award was a real boon because there are so many traditional albums out there,' she said.

Cara — who comes from Ireland — and Sam live together at Yelverton and have been combining their musical talents for six years. They were originally part of West Devon-based group Equation which also featured Sam's brothers Sean and Seth.

'Having your song voted out of all the traditional recordings was a real accolade,' said Sam.

'About 20 artists have got it on a record. Cara has been singing it since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.'

Sam's accompanyment on piano helps transport the song into a new and different light.

'Folk music rarely features piano — it opens it up and gives a lot of space for the voice,' he says.

'When you have a vocalist like Cara that is a focal point. If it wasn't for her this wouldn't be happening.

Sam said they made the record to suit their own musical taste — and this has shown a lot of people felt the same way.

The CD 'Cara Dillon' has just been released in America, Europe and Japan.

'We are starting to record our next album but it won't be released until the end of next year. The folk world is great because people don't rush.