DEDICATED musician Clive John has battled against adversity following an horrific childhood accident to reach the final of a prestigious songwriting competition.

Twenty-nine-year-old Clive, of Quest Hills Road, Malvern, suffered severe burns after putting his hands on an electric fire at home at the age of two.

They were in plaster for about a year and he also subsequently developed a stutter. His doctor advised parents Delia and Eric - who run a Malvern card shop - he should play an instrument to keep his fingers supple.

And now the folk and country artist, who has been playing piano and guitar since he was five, has been announced a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest.

His shortlisted song, Fast Food Fiasco, was written when he was touring New York five years ago and is based on his experiences there.

It was one of several picked from more than 40,000 entries nationwide - narrowly missing the top prize.

"I was told it was a very prestigious contest so I thought I'd enter it," he said.

"I thought there'd be no way I'd stand a chance because it's entered by thousands of artists so when they contacted me and said I was a finalist I was over the moon."

Clive - who studied at Malvern's Chase High School - has been playing at venues across the country since the age of 15, including a music festival on the Isle of Mull.

His set comprises a selection of self-penned songs and covers of artists including Damien Rice, Dido, Johnny Cash, The Pogues and David Gray.

He began performing at working men's clubs and pubs - and says his first gig - at Ross-on-Wye Rugby Club - was particularly memorable.

"I'll never forget that night because it was full of rugby players throwing beer everywhere.

"It was so scary - I only knew nine songs and so just kept playing them over and over."

Clive's interest in folk music came from his Irish mother, and he recorded his first two albums - In A Whisper and Purple Sky - in 1999 and 2001 respectively, with Paul Farrer - owner of film/television music company Music Mint - at his West Malvern studio.

After splitting from his record label Excellent, he returned last year with two self-produced albums - Life and Another Day.

He has also been playing with Celtic-sounding band Clearwood - for about six months.

The singer has already seen five of his hits reach the top five of the EMS charts - an independent chart for country artists - over the past three years.

And Irish music star Daniel O' Donnell has also expressed an interest in recording a song from his debut - after a copy fell into his hands from a fan of both artists.

Clive is busy working on his latest album - due for release in November and featuring traditional Irish songs and four new tracks.

Asked as to what kept him going, he said it was the thrill of entertaining.

"It's being able to provide people with pleasure really - it's great whenever I perform and there's lots of people in the room and they disappear off saying what a great evening they've had.

"I was going to be a surveyor or musician when I left school and I went for musician because I thought it'd be more interesting.

"I'm quite confident with everything at the moment - I wouldn't want to work in an office or do anything else really."

Clive is performing at 8.45pm tonight at the White Hart in Sidbury, Worcester, and The Express Inn on Quest Hills Road in Malvern at 9pm tomorrow.

Anyone interested in contacting him can visit: www.clivejohn.com or telephone 07970 216370.