A TWELVE-year-old from Bishops Lydeard has made it through to the top 30 in a nationwide songwriting competition.

Guitarist and singer Robbie Hope will hear if his song Rocket Ship makes the top 10 of his age group in the Song Academy Young Songwriter 2023 on Friday, May 12.

He was inspired to write music by his mother and other relatives who are all musical and hit on his latest song after spotting Robbie the Rocket, a book from his younger days.

Robbie said: "I began learning the guitar about five years ago - my dad plays the guitar and he and I both love Oasis - and I wanted to take things to the next level.

"Songwriting is a way of expressing myself and making people think about things that are going on in the world.

"It’s nice to get down on paper the things that are going around in your head.

"I love playing music. I’m on my guitar every day and when I’m not playing music I’m usually listening to it. It’s a big part of my life."

He added: "I love experimenting with chords and putting them in an order that I am happy with.

"I also like to play with words and am a big fan of a pun."

Robbie's inspiration for songs come from many places - such as Miserable Day, when it was raining - and he is always open to new ideas for a song.

"My set up is not at all fancy," he said, referring to how he wrote Rocket Ship.

"I was just in my bedroom with my guitar and a notebook.

"I started with the chords, then the lyrics and finally the melody."

His ambition would be to collaborate with Noel Gallagher.

"I just love his music and his style and I’m actually going to see him play in August," said Robbie.

His advice to anyone aged eight to 18 thinking of entering next year's Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next is: "Have a go. It’s a great way to express yourself.

"My top tip would be to write about all your experiences as you never know where a good song is hiding.

"Google is always useful when you’re stuck for a rhyming word too."