Wannabe music legends strummed their way to success in a rock star competition.

Music fans of all ages proved that Brighton rocks when they competed in the one day event at the Palace Pier to launch the arcade version of Guitar Hero.

The pier is the first place in the UK to showcase the music video game in which players simulate playing a guitar using a controller, which has five coloured “fret buttons” and a “strum bar” instead of frets and strings.

Crowds of people lined up to take part in the free event, which had top prizes of Guitar Hero consoles and games as well as a star trophy for those who truly rocked.

One of the stars of the day was 11- year-old Arthur Reynolds, who won first prize in the 15 and under category.

Arthur, of Manor Hill, Brighton, has already played the game in front of thousands of people at the Isle of Wight Festival and turned up to the pier in his Guitar Hero T-shirt.

The Longhill School pupil said: “I like Guitar Hero because I had a guitar and one day the amp broke so I got the game and it kept me going while I got it fixed. It helped me think about the music and how I could play it on my real guitar.”

Also taking part was Amber Bancroft, 13, of Milner Road, Brighton.

Speaking before she took part she said: “I have been practising and I am really looking forward to it. I usually play at home with my mum.”

Friend Ruby Rowsell, 13, of Orchard Drive, Brighton, was too nervous to take part but was backing Amber. She said: “She’s brilliant, she can always hit all of the notes.”

Competitors took part in the junior or adult category and prizes were given to the five players who scored the most points in each.

Craig Brooks, the head of tuition at Brighton Rock School, awarded the prizes.

He said: “As well as being enormous fun to play, games like Guitar Hero are definitely helping to raise the profile of the instrument. I think kids are becoming intrigued by the idea of what real instruments might sound like and are more likely to give it a go.”

Craig Morgan, the operations director of the Noble Organisation, which owns the pier, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to launch the arcade game here in the UK.

We developed this fun competition to find who is the champion of Brighton on Guitar Hero and we have had a phenomenal interest.

I think we’ve got some fantastic rock stars on the horizon.”