A SOLO artist has made it to the regional final a new talent competition – which will be aired on Sky TV.

Rob Boswell, 20, of Grimsby, has already wowed the judging panel of Live And Unsigned, the UK's biggest original music competition, by playing a song he produced when he was 14, called Withern Road.

Rob will be competing against the most talented bands and artists in the country at a regional final showcase – in a bid to reach the grand final at the O2 Arena in London.

He will be performing at the regional final in front of hundreds of spectators, and the acts that get through will get the opportunity to play at some of the biggest festivals.

This year's competition also offers acts an extra chance for exposure as it's being filmed for Sky TV in an exclusive fly-on-the-wall documentary.

Rob said: "I came across Live And Unsigned on the internet and to apply I sent a text and they e-mailed me the date for my audition at Sheffield.

"I got into music through my dad, grandad and my great-grandad, too – they all played instruments and were in bands.

"I kind of had no choice – it is in my blood. I started off listening to punk bands when I began secondary school, me and a mate got a band together.

"We thought we were going to take over the world, but I was younger then, and as I matured my interest in music did, too.

"And I started listening to more music like the Stone Roses and got an acoustic guitar, which influenced me to start writing and singing songs on my own.

"It was all secret at this point ... I made sure my parents were out and all the doors were locked before I'd start singing!

"I used to record songs on my mp3 player and play them to my mate, Jase.

"He liked them, so I thought they must be OK.

"I played my first gig at Beluga Bar, now Gypsy Tears, in Cleethorpes, and I haven't stopped since.

"There are so many amazing opportunities with this competition and I hope I get through to the final because the list really is endless with how my future could improve."

Chris Grayston, events director of Live And Unsigned, said: "Live And Unsigned is all about originality, live ability and credibility.

"We don't accept demos or submissions – everyone auditions live.

"We've got some fantastic prizes up for grabs this year in a £100,000 prize pool, including a new main cash prize of £10,000. The festival slots and other prizes available make this year's competition our biggest ever."

Rob is now preparing for the regional final showcase on Sunday, March 25, at Sheffield City Hall, with the opportunity to get into the grand final at Live Fest at the O2.

For more information go to the website www.liveandunsigned.uk.com

Or better still, come down and support local talent.

You can purchase tickets from the website www.liveandunsigned.uk.com /tickets/purchase