A young rock band from Wigton are following in the footsteps of pop superstar Ed Sheeran by taking part in an internationally-recognised music programme.

The band, known as Absolute Zero, is made up of Glenn Russell, 17, Sam Warwick, 18, Toby Cass, 13 and Daniel Edgar, 18, all pupils at Nelson Thomlinson School.

All of the members are working towards completing the Rock School syllabus, a renowned programme which The A Team singer completed in his younger years.

It means that all of the four band members are studying for their grade eight music exams with their own individual instruments, a feat which their teacher Tim Eyrl has never come across before in his 30 years in education.

"They've all been developing individually but have ended up at the same standard which is top notch. Usually you have people in a band that are different standards to others," Mr Eyrl told The Cumberland News .

"We have got lots of very good musicians in the school but this is very rare for all of them to be doing their grade eight. I've never known it before in my 30 years teaching."

He added: "I'm incredibly proud of them, it's great they've all stuck to it.

"It's not always easy when there's lots of pressures with education, it's easy to say you haven't got time but they're getting so much out of it.

"They are really professional when they do their stuff on stage and they are all really reliable and always turn up for practice.

"Their music is something that will stay with them for years."

It is hoped they will complete their grade eight studies around Easter.

The band also enjoyed some recent success as winners of the inaugural NTX-Factor talent event held at the school last month.