A RECORD label has been set up to nurture the musical talent of the region's young people.

Backed by the county council's youth service, 6K Vision has been launched to challenge the traditionally London-centred music industry.

Run by young people for young people, the label has already signed seven bands and solo artists and recorded its first CD.

Two solo artists and three bands performed at the launch ceremony at the Hyper youth centre, in East Parade, Harrogate.

The project is being co-ordinated by the Live and Loud initiative, which is run by the continuing education unit of North Yorkshire County Council.

Executive member for lifelong learning, Councillor Jim Clark, said: "We have some fantastic talent in North Yorkshire and there is potential for a really serious music industry to be established in the county.

"This really grabs the imagination. It is tangible, it is powerful, it is tremendously exciting. I believe 6K Vision will put us on the map."

Education officer Terry Begley said: "The key thing about music is that it touches young people's lives on a daily basis, so we have tried to ensure that they have the key to open their huge wealth of talent."

The launch was hosted by 6K Vision's head of public relations and solo artist James Koppert, 23, of Scarborough.

He said: "I had a difficult background as a teenager with a lot of anger and frustration, which too often got vented in a negative way. Then I found music and it is a place I can now vent my anger in a positive way."

David Gilbank, of North-allerton, found himself on the wrong side of the law until he discovered his own style of music and became the rapper Velocity.

"I used to have an anger management problem and my music has helped me release it," he said.

Now he operates his own business producing other hip hop and R and B artists.