A music student has gone from top of the class to Top Of The Pops in just two months - with a little help from Christina Aguilera.

Tom Swann, 21, and his band Speedway crashed into the top ten this week with their rock guitar-driven version of Christina's hit, Genie In A Bottle.

The single, which entered the charts at number ten, is a double A-side also featuring the band's self-penned Save Yourself.

Tom, of Ditchling Rise, Brighton, made his Top Of The Pops debut on Friday but earlier this summer he was just another student preparing for exams at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM).

BIMM general manager Damian Keyes told him Speedway were auditioning for a permanent bass player and so Tom travelled to London to try his luck.

Scots-born singer and guitarist Jill Jackson, drummer Jim Duguid and guitarist Dan Sells were so impressed they immediately invited him to join their bid for stardom.

Tom said: "I auditioned in London during the week of my exams and the next week we were playing in front of thousands at this year's V Festival.

"It was a busy time because we had to shoot the video for the song the day after the audition and I also had my exams to finish but somehow it all got done.

"Since then we've shot the video for the single and appeared on several TV shows like SMTV, CD:UK and The Saturday Show.

"I can't even say appearing on Top Of The Pops is a dream come true - I never even dared to dream it before this.

"It is the most amazing thing and hearing your single on the radio is an unbeatable buzz."

Despite the distractions, he managed to complete his higher diploma in modern music at the college in Rock Gardens, Brighton.

He hopes to return to Brighton and attend his BIMM graduation ceremony tomorrow.

Among his tutors were ex-Brand New Heavies singer Carleen Anderson and Mr Keyes, who has played bass for Eric Clapton, David Bowie and Alanis Morrissette.

Mr Keyes said: "Tom is a really gifted guitarist. He has a fantastic attitude and will work hard in his career.

"He has already achieved so much but I am sure we will continue to see great things from him."

The band are signed to Innocent Records so they share a label with chart-toppers such as Atomic Kitten and Blue.

Tom's early musical idols were a bit different - Metallica and Iron Maiden.

He picked up his first guitar at 11 and after his 13th birthday used his savings to buy a bass guitar and formed his first band.

Tom was thrilled to meet Iron Maiden during recording for Top Of The Pops.

Unfortunately he had to turn down an invite to a party the band was throwing because Speedway had to get back on the road for a concert in Hull.