TALENTED teenage violinist Sam Kennedy, the leader of renowned Teesside youth orchestra, has received cash to help him to pursue a career in music.

The 17-year-old from Redcar has received a £1,000 grant from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget.

The council-backed organisation answered a plea for help from Sam's grandmother Kathleen. She said Sam is the leader of the Tees Valley Youth Orchestra and a member of the National Youth Orchestra but struggles to meet costs.

Sam, who is studying for four A Levels at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, wants to study music at Cambridge University.

He said: "I've been playing for eight years and I chose violin because it was the only instrument available at my primary school, St Alban's RC in Redcar.

"I'm a little unsure about exactly what I want to do but after Cambridge I'd certainly like to pursue a career in music."

Sam has been invited to play at the historic Almshouses in Kirkleatham with concert pianist David Trippett on Wednesday, July 9.

The West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget Community Chest has a £180,000 kitty until 2006 accessible to community and voluntary groups within the Coatham, Newcomen, Dormanstown and Kirkleatham areas of Redcar.