A YOUNG musician from Addingham has staked a claim to fame by finishing second at a high profile classical guitar competition.

Laura Husbands, of School Lane, took home £500 - and international recognition - when she came second in August at the Admira Young Classical Guitarist of the Year competition held in Bath. The competition was part of the International Guitar Foundation's (IGF) annual festival celebrating the instrument.

The 19-year-old, who has been playing guitar since the age of eight and is now studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow under a £1,000 scholarship, played against guitarists across the world under the age of 22 to earn the title.

Participants were asked to perform pieces by Leo Brouwer and other virtuosos as well as a newly commissioned piece by the IGF.

Miss Husbands says she is thrilled with the placement,

as it will help her achieve

her goal of becoming a

professional guitarist.

"I was very happy," she said. "It has a good reputation and gets your name known in the guitar world."

The former boarder of the prestigious Cheetham's School of Music in Manchester, became interested in the instrument after seeing her father play as a hobby.

"My dad played when I was little so I just sort of copied him," she said.

The youngest child of two also plays the violin and piano, but says she is 'not as good' as she is with guitar.

Miss Husbands says she would like to attend an American music college and "travel around the world and play" when she has earned her degree in three years.

"I really enjoy it and I don't think I want to do anything else," she said.