NORTH-EAST rock prodigy Pete Shoulder is being offered a deal by international recording company Sony.

It wants the 17-year-old guitarist, singer and songwriter, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to sign a six-month development contract.

Sony, which has artists including Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, is impressed with the young musician, who has been performing since he was 13.

The offer was made after Pete, who already has his own management deal, was invited to London to play exclusively for company executives.

He and his new backing band, former members of Durham City band Sugarwood, also made a video at Consett studio Northern Recording, which was sent to the company's US headquarters.

The band, which has largely played low-key pub gigs, recorded an album at the studio earlier this year that has yet to be released.

Other companies have also shown interest.

Pete said: "It's great news. They want me to go over to the States to see how the song writing develops. It is an international deal and includes the release of an album."

John Kearney, of Northern Recording, said: "I'm over the moon for him, especially the development end of it. It shows that they see him as a long-term prospect.

Pete's previous band, The Blue Shoulders, won acclaim with blues and rock audiences in pubs and clubs in the region.