A TALENTED songwriter from Poole has released his first EP at the tender age of just 13. Calvin Glen, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has spent the last six months recording his debut CD, which features five songs he wrote himself.

The teenager, who remarkably only learned to play the guitar two years ago, is now selling the EP to raise cash for Hospital Radio Bedside.

The youngster, who attends St Edwards School, said: “Hospital Radio Bedside was the first professional body to play my music.

“They had seen a video of my music on Facebook and it sparked from there. They invited me in when I was 11 years old and have supported me ever since.”

Calvin, who performs at various bars, clubs and festivals, said he wanted to raise funds for the station to thank the team for their support over the past two years.

“They are all volunteers,” he said. “They all do it for free and all the money goes to the hospitals and the patients in the hospitals.”

The teenager says playing music helps him to relax and he hopes to pursue a career in the industry.

He said: “I first started playing when I was 11 years old when my dad left and I needed a distraction.

“I picked up the guitar and started learning how to play songs by watching YouTube videos.

“I want to be work with music, even if that’s playing on stage or being sat behind a mixing desk.”

And last year the talented teen made it to the finals of a nation talent competition.

“I was performing at Open Mic UK and I got through to the finals,” he said.

“One of the judges, Gareth Henderson, sent me an email a week later saying would I like to go on a week-long development course and they helped me record my EP.

“It has five of my own tracks. They are all very much biographical and they are all very close to my heart.”

To find out more about Calvin’s music search for Calvin Glen on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.