Christmas has come early for budding, young musicians in north Argyll.  With help from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) they will soon be able to record their music, with the creation of a recording studio in Oban.

AIE has awarded the North Argyll Youth Forum a grant totalling £3,230, which will help them convert the band practice room in the Oban Youth and Community Association's community centre into a recording studio.

Financial backing for the £15,000 project is also coming from Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Arts Council and the New Deal programme.

Around 10 contemporary bands currently use the community centre's practice room each week and the creation of a recording studio and sound-proofing practice room will allow them to record their music and eventually create a CD.  The facilities will also be available for use by others including Gaelic choirs, school music departments and individual musicians, storytellers, and so on.

In addition, the funding package from AIE will also support the development of a music outreach programme, which will involve taking the equipment to various communities throughout Argyll and Bute to give other young people the opportunity to record their music.

Commenting on the development of a recording studio, Colin McGuire, chairman of the Youth Forum said: "The Youth Forum is very grateful to the AIE for their support and assistance.  The recording studio will be a huge boost to the Argyll music scene, allowing local musicians to be heard by the widest possible audience."

AIE chief executive, Ken Abernethy said: "Investment in community assets and culture are two of AIE's strategic objectives so we are pleased to be supporting this project."