TALENTED teenager Kirsty Biddulph is years ahead of other young musicians having earned a coveted national accolade at the age of just 15.

With a diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, Kirsty, from School Aycliffe, County Durham, is one of the few girls of her age with letters after her name.

The award, which Kirsty earned for her clarinet playing, gives her the right to sign herself Dip.ABRSM, but it is the fun she gets from playing a wide range of instruments that has spurred her on.

She begn playing the clarinet when she was seven, and has gained a grade eight in piano. Her next hurdle is the grade eight saxophone exam she is about to sit.

Kirsty also plays with the Durham County Wind Ensemble and in her school band at Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive, where her parents both teach.

Her father, Adrian, who is head of music, said he was proud of her, but had no influ-ence over her love of music.

He said: "She has studied for the last 18 months on top of all her schoolwork and band rehearsals.

"She has a good ear and I am really proud of what she's done. It is very unusual for a 15-year-old to get a diploma."

Kirsty is hoping to work with disabled children and use her musical talent as a therapy.

Her mother, Judith, who is assistant head at Tudhoe Grange Lower School, said: "This is the result of a lot of hard work for her. It's tremendous."