A GROUP of music students has won the opportunity to record in a professional studio.

Pete Haley, 21, of Middlesbrough, Tom Caffrey, 18, of Whitby and Anthony Leatherland, 17, of Stockton, impressed the judges at the TTE Technical Training Group's Battle of the Bands competition.

The musicians, who played a mixture of modern pop/indie rock, have won a professional recording session at Mirage Music Studio, in Marske.

Nine acts, including solo artists and bands made up of students and trainers, took to the stage at TTE's training centre in South Bank, Middlesbrough, for the competition.

The event, which was organised by mechanical trainer Kevin Peel, forms part of TTE's remit to encourage apprentices to extend their knowlege and skills beyond the boundaries of the training courses.

Mr Haley said: "The whole event was a great experience. We all got a real buzz from playing in front of a live audience.

"We are all very excited about our prize. A recording session in a professional studio is something every musician dreams about."

TTE's apprenticeship business director Keith Leslie said: "The whole event was very well organised and a tribute to the part the students played in staging the event. The judges were very impressed with the standard of all the performers."