A teenager reached the final of the Young Guitarist of the Year competition - and he has only played the instrument for a year.

Taylor Gray, 13, from Brighton, who performed music he wrote himself, was thrilled to beat more than 300 entrants to the last five in the competition at the Birmingham NEC.

He said: "I was amazed to get that far out of 300 entrants. I was quite nervous because I was the first on out of the five finalists and there was a big audience. I was also the youngest."

The achievement tops off an exciting and fast-paced year for Taylor.

He played on the same act list as guitar virtuoso Rob Balducci, from New York, at Jemfest UK 2002.

After the concert, Balducci wrote: "To Taylor, Great job, keep up the great playing! Love the melodies. Rob Balducci."

Longhill High School pupil Taylor, of Stanstead Crescent, Woodingdean, said: "The concert was brilliant.

"I had a ten-minute slot and Balducci was the main act at the end, which everyone was waiting for. I was really pleased when he wrote me that message."

Jemfest organiser Simon Wilkins said: "Taylor is only 13 and plays great. A really nice guy too. A talent for the future for sure."

Taylor got expert tuition from Jamiroquai's Rob Harris and Ace from Skunk Anansie when he attended a summer jazz and rock school for adults at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music.

He was awarded the 2002 achievement award for music at school.

Taylor, who is taught guitar by his IT administrator father Tony, 37, and sponsored by the Guitar Amp Shop in North Road, Brighton, said: "I do about an hour's practise a day but my dad always wants me to do more.

"I enjoy jamming and would like to get in my own band with some good musicians."

He said his dream would be to play with the like of electric guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani or acclaimed rock guitarist Steve Vai.

Taylor is also working on a CD of original material, some of which will be available for download on his web site.

He said: "No one else I know has their own web site. My friends often look at it in computer lessons at school."

Visit www.taylorgray.co.uk