71649-14SWINDON guitarist Kit Hawes scooped the number two spot in a national competition in Bath.

Kit beat 29 other musicians in the Takamine Young Guitarist Of The Year Competition by playing three of his own songs.

The 17-year-old from Shaw was one of the eight finalists competing in the Michael Tippett Centre as part of the Bath International Guitar Festival 2004.

He won a week long stay at IGF Summer School, Bath, next year.

The young musician has been battling against ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) since he was 14 years old.

"It feels like I am chained and it is frustrating but I will come out stronger,'' said Kit.

The words "walk towards what you fear'' rang in his ears when he saw a leaflet urging guitarists to enter the contest.

"I just had to do it,'' said Kit.

"I remembered those words and although I was scared and nervous beforehand, once I got on stage I felt calm and enjoyed performing my pieces.''

The guitarist is determined to use his illness to make himself grow as a musician and a songwriter.

"I hear something in my head and although I can't read or write music I keep it there until I play it on guitar,'' he said.

He covers all types of music from jazz, rock and classical to blues and folk.

"I have learned technique but without passion it is worthless that is why I prefer using my own flashy tricks, as the judges called it, to make things sound better,'' said Kit.

"Classical guitar is too rigid. It takes the emotion out of it.''

Kit is a member of a band called The Minnesota Twins where he is lead guitarist, and he is involved in the new Acoustic Club at the GW Bar in Station Road.

He first started playing guitar as a child, learning from his mother, Linda, who played folk guitar.

His first electric guitar was his 11th birthday present.

He said: "I was into heavy metal and Jimi Hendrix and then I was into rap, but by the time I was 13 I got back into heavy rock which inspired me to take my playing seriously.''

Now he is determined to keep on fighting the ME and learn from life's experiences.

"I want to get out there and do more gigs.

"I want to get better and travel, go out in the world and visit Nepal, Africa, and Australia, and experience different kinds of world music first hand,'' he said.

Flicky Harrison