OPERA singer Michael Kennedy has said he would give his backing to any East Lancashire campaign to encourage more youngsters into music, after revealing his plight to make it professionally.

Michael,44, believes more should be done for youngsters to penetrate the "high-brow" classical music industry.

The former Blackburn School of Music pupil has become one of the 'most-wanted' on a classical music chart after 17 years spent trying to break into the industry.

He twice auditioned for Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music and also won several North West singing competitions.

But after only developing his operatic voice at the age of 27, he was turned down and told he would never make it as a singer.

Now he is urging more young people to exploit opportunities in East Lancashire and to challenge an industry he believes is flawed by a "class barrier".

The father-of-three from Langham Road, Blackburn, used facilities funded by Blackburn with Darwen Arts Council based at Longshaw Working Men's Club, to record tracks earlier this year.

Michael's favourites include Ave Maria, which this week went to Number One in the Amazon website Opera and Vocal download charts, and You'll Never Walk Alone. The tracks, and others recorded at his home, have dominated the website chart -- an indication of his singing talent, according to Michael.

He said: "I was working as a mechanical examiner when I wanted to develop my singing hobby.

"I went for singing lessons and was told to audition for the top colleges. They carry a lot of prestige, which is why they are important in education.

"But the general consensus was that I was tone deaf and had no chance of being a singer.

"I firmly believe there is a class division in the industry. It seems that people with more money or more status in life seem to get on further, while poorer people don't.

"I am proud my music is now doing well and I have benefited from the facilities provided by local councils. But it is such a hard industry to break.

"I have had to work as a street entertainer in Blackburn, and at all the festivals, to get some recognition. But I would always say to youngsters that you have to give it a go. There is a way for them to break through as long as they get support from parents and carers. I would give my full backing to any campaign to get more music into schools to give youngsters more opportunities."

Blackburn with Darwen Arts Council is an association which provides a range of grants to community projects from a £6,000 annual budget. Secretary Mike Millward said: "We always try and give people opportunities which they may otherwise have missed out on."

Ian Kendrick, Assistant Director for School Improvement at Blackburn with Darwen Council, helped organise a master class with Julian Lloyd Webber for gifted and talented children this summer. He said: "Music is part of the overall curriculum and we also run a travelling music service, providing musical tuition.

"Talented youngsters are generally spotted and encouraged by teachers, or they may be developed through the peripatetic service. We also work closely with other parts of the council and arts organisations in the community."