AN aspiring singer-songwriter has had his efforts recognised with a national award.

Jerome ‘Jay’ Anthony, 43, won the unplugged acoustic category in the UK Songwriting Contest.

The competition is one of the world’s longest running, most popular and successful international songwriting events, and has entrants from all over the world.

It was launched in London in 2002 in association with prestigious bodies such as the Brit Trust and the Guild of International Songwriters, alongside top British producers and industry professionals.

Jerome lives in Pebmarsh with wife Claire, 30, and children Aria, aged two, and Phoenix, nine months. He describes himself as a “landscaper by day and songwriter by night”.

He said: “I am a self-employed landscaper but have written songs for many years.

“I don’t class myself as a performer. I do some open mics, but it is more of a hobby. I have the basics for a studio in my garage. I spend a couple of hours on a couple of nights per week writing.”

Jerome was not expecting to win the competition, but thought it was an opportunity to get his songs heard.

He said: “My wife Claire just said what have I got to lose – just sit back and see what happens.

“Eventually I got an email through at Christmas saying I was shortlisted as a finalist, and I was shocked, thinking there was no chance I win.

“Then before you know it, I got a follow up email in February saying I had won. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t even think it was one of the better songs I had written.”

Jerome’s winning song is called Dotted Line. He describes it as a simplistic song, but the judges loved it, with one saying it was “really current”.

Jerome now stands a chance of progressing his career and could become a writer for major artists.

He said: “I really don’t know where this is going to go.

"The judges have worked with past winners and taken it further – some people have got publishing deals.

"The big thing is the international event, where my song is representing the UK, and I find out the result of that at the end of the month.

"My dream is becoming a professional songwriter and this might really help me achieve that.”

To hear Jerome’s song, visit bit.ly/35ghOlM.