CLEVELEYS schoolboy Andrew Figg has won the UK Accordion Championships after playing the instrument for just two years.

Andrew, 15, took up the accordion at the Marsh Mill School of Music after seeing the instrument in the compnay's shop window.

Now, he is the proud owner of the title UK Champion in the Intermediate Solo, 1998.

He said: "I suppose I've learnt to play quite quickly, but I was on the piano first which gives you a good knowledge.

"There were more than 400 people taking part in various categories at the competition but I was hoping to win.

"I got interested in the accordion when I saw them in Music World, asked about them and have played ever since.

"I think the pieces sound a lot nicer on the accordion and my dad bought me an electronic one with hundreds of different sounds after I won the competition."

Andrew, who lives on Vermont Grove, Cleveleys, puts a lot of his success down to his teacher, Mme Gina Brannelli, who has recently won a top award herself.

Andrew explained: "My teacher is an ex-world champion and won the Golden Master award last year.

"It was the first time the award had ever come out of Italy."

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