A DODWORTH man has gained the highest music performance mark ever achieved by a student in the popular music degree at University Campus Barnsley.

Matthew Townsend, 23, of Bowden Grove, has just got his first class honours degree. He studied music at Barnsley College for two years gaining the Best Individual Performer Award before continuing his studies at UCB.

He said: "I started college aged 16 as an average music student but immediately my ability and ambitions developed because of the great teachers, facilities and support.

"Now I have graduated I am following my career passion to be a professional musician, as well as setting up my own drum school, Rudimental Drums."

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 22. **