GOOD luck - that's the Citizen's message to a young Preston musician as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life

At the age of just 16 trombone player Alistair White, from Ingol, near Preston, will travel to London on Monday (Sept 8) to take on the cream of jazz musicians from all over the country.

If he's a winner in the Royal SunAlliance Young Jazz Musician of the Year it could launch a glittering career - the prize includes a week playing in the famous Blue Note Club in New York, and one in Ronnie Scott's in London, as well as £1,000 and a trophy.

Former Broughton High School pupil Alistair, of Eastbourne Close, has already performed with jazz greats Georgie Fame, James Morrison and Bill Watrous.

SunAlliance spokesman Jon Sellors said: "He's the youngest finalist we've had in the five-year history of the competition.

"He's frighteningly talented for a 16-year-old."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.