Born and raised in South London, singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard walked away with the main award of £5,000 at the Musicians Benevolent Fund's annual Songwriting Awards Final. Sherika has been songwriting from the age of 14 and will use the award to buy new songwriting equipment and tour the UK next year.

Sherika said, "I just want to say a big thank you for Thursday night - it was amazing! I am so happy to be part of such a great award and to be linked to your charity as an artist".

Jessica Staveley-Taylor performing with her two sisters, who are collectively 'The Staves', was delighted to receive a development award of £2,500, which she will put towards recording an EP and a 15 date UK tour.

This year's high profile panel was chaired by songwriting legend, Guy Chambers, best known for his collaboration as a songwriter/producer with Robbie Williams on five hugely successful albums. Guy was joined by Alison Clarkson (Betty Boo), whose debut album Boomania secured her a Brit in 1990 for Best New Artist and Eg White who, last year, co-wrote two of the biggest and most loved pop hits: Duffy's 'Warwick Avenue' and Adele's 'Chasing Pavements' and this year, was named Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year. Also on the panel were Tony Moore, the man responsible for creating the Kashmir Klub and the Bedford, where the showcase was held, and David Stark, founder of Songlink International.

The evening also featured a special guest performance from last year's award recipients 'Fables' from LIPA. The band, who were the unanimous choice at the 2008 awards, are using the award to produce an EP prior to a UK tour in Dec 2009/Jan 2010. Other past recipients include RnB singer, Hannah Rei and 'The Wombats', both of whom have helped firmly establish the Musicians Benevolent Fund Songwriting Awards in the UK Songwriting Industry.

Musicians Benevolent Fund