A HAMPSHIRE student has beaten hundreds of other musicians to scoop the prestigious title of UK Young Drummer of the Year.

Fareham College's James Birt, who is registered blind, fought off 500 other young hopefuls from across the country for the mighty title at a special competition in Leamington Spa.

He was singled out from the rest by a panel of professionals including Mark Richardson from Feeder, renowned drum teacher Bob Armstrong and Crissy Lee from the Frank Skinner chat show band.

The huge accolade means that 16-year-old James, who has been playing since he was just 11, will get to open the national Best of British Drum show later this year, star in a children's TV show and play support to a celebrity drummer on tour.

This is on top of the endless hours he puts in playing for Hampshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Saturday Band, rock band Trinity and Fareham College's band Mucky Fingers.

James, of The Parkway, Gosport, said: "Although I do have a visual impairment and am registered as blind, I do not let this hold me back. I play the drums in lots of bands.

"In the future I would like to make a living out of drumming, whether it be playing in a band, doing session, teaching others or maybe all three."