A TEENAGE songwriter is through to the next round of the biggest original music competition in the UK for unsigned bands and artists.

Former Billericay School pupil Drew-Levi Huntsman, 17, sailed through the audition stage of Live and Unsigned and will now face the music at the next heat of the contest, to be held on March 6 at the Towngate Theatre, in Basildon.

If he wins, he’ll get the chance to belt out one of his own songs at the O2 arena in London, plus the opportunity to win a £30,000 music contract.

As well as writing and performing his own songs, Drew-Levi has appeared in several West End musicals, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Les Miserables.

Drew-Levi, of Church Road, Bulphan, is now studying at Collins Performing Arts College, in Romford.