Ref. 71911-8YOUNG offenders gave High Sheriff James Arkell a blast of hip-hop at a music workshop.

Youngsters also gave the brewery boss a lesson in piano scales when he dropped into a recording session run by Swindon Youth Offending Team.

Professional musician Jim Eddings has been teaching three teenagers how to record tracks using the latest computer software.

The young people wrote and recorded their own songs, rapping over drum 'n' bass backing.

And Mr Arkell, managing director of Arkell's Brewery, was impressed with their talent.

"I'm more of a Beatles fan myself, but I think these songs have got a really good beat, and they sound fantastic.

"It's wonderful to see young people getting involved in music."

Mr Eddings, who runs Swindon-based Inner Sound Music Development, said rap helped release hidden talents in young people with troubled lives.

"The aim is to help them to communicate and express themselves from the heart," he said.

"They have been writing lyrics about their own experiences of life."

Songs were recorded in a classroom which has been turned into a temporary recording studio at the YOT centre in Stratton over the last four weeks.

The youngsters are now all dreaming of becoming the next Dizzee Rascal, award-winning British rap star.

James, 15, said: "I write lyrics about my life and how I feel. I hear a beat and they just come naturally. I have been so excited about coming here.

"It's given me more confidence in myself, and I want to be a proper MC.

"If I wasn't here I would probably be causing trouble."

George, 13, who performed a song for Mr Arkell, said: "I have been writing about how I was put in foster care.

"And about when I was committing crimes, like stealing. "The words just flow into my head when I hear the beat."

The youngsters are now hoping to record their songs and turn them into a CD.

The project was funded by CrimeBeat Swindon, which is chaired by Mr Arkell.

Tamash Lal