A POOLE teenager who took up drumming less than five years ago has narrowly missed out on being crowned Young Drummer of the Year.

Jordan Owen, 16, made it down to the last 10 in the national contest – beating competition from more than 500 entrants from across the UK.

He may have missed out on top spot, during Sunday’s fiercely-contested final at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, but the young teenager wowed judges with his professional style.

Jordan, who goes to school in Romsey, Hampshire, told the Daily Echo: “There wasn’t a drummer who influenced me so much to get me started – someone just heard me tapping away and said ‘you’d be good at drums, maybe you should have lessons’.

From there the teenager – who now counts German drummer Benny Grebb and Led Zeppelin’s John ‘Bonzo’ Bonham among his drumming heroes – started learning the trade.

“My drumming teacher, Tim Wheeler, has been brilliant,” said Jordan.

“He’s the person who has easily influenced me the most. Everything he does is just spot on, and I’d like to say a big thank-you to him.”

The final consisted of all ten drummers banging out a two-minute improvised solo, then a three-minute piece set to a pre-recorded track, followed by a three-minute stint with a live band.

“I was first up,” said Jordan. “We all had the pre-recorded track before the final, but the three-minutes with the live band was a total surprise for everyone.”

What now for Jordan?

“I’m going to continue drumming,” he insisted. “If I know the right people and they come along at the right time, and I get noticed, I’d love to do this for a living full-time.”

And Jordan can already count on one big fan – his proud mum Helen.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. Out of 537 entries Jordan made it to the top ten.

“He was brilliant, with a style that stood him apart from the other drummers.”