A PLUMBING student is hoping to secure a recording contract for his heavy metal band.

Luke Harrison, from New College Durham, is in a band called Beyond the Grave.

The five-piece outfit recently recorded a four-track EP, The Craven Betrayal, which is being distributed to record companies, and is available in local music shops.

The band play local gigs and have been runners-up in battle of the bands competitions.

Luke, from Boldon, not only has talent in music, but also in his trade - he won last year's regional final of Skillbuild, a construction craft competition, which was held at his college.

Luke is studying NVQ level three in plumbing at college, on a day release basis from his job at Sunderland Housing Group.

"My plumbing qualification will give me stability and something to fall back on, but I really want to play music and write songs," he said.