Sir George Martin, the music producer behind The Beatles, has given his support to a new award that encourages schoolchildren to play musical instruments, such as an electric guitar, keyboard or drum kit.
The Brit Class Act award is aimed at bands whose members are aged under 19 years old and still in education.
It aims to find the best young band in Britain, with the winners set to be unveiled at the Brit Awards 2011.
Speaking to the Metro, Sir George hailed the scheme and said he hoped it would encourage more youngsters to pick up a musical instrument.
"I wish we had thought of doing this years ago," he said. "I am delighted to lend my support to the award."
Prime minister Gordon Brown has already given his backing to the scheme, adding that he hoped more than two million schoolchildren would be learning some kind of musical instrument by 2011, which could vary from an electric guitar to a drum kit.
