A TEENAGER born with no lower arms who won through to the final of the Young Drummer of the Year competition missed out on the top spot.

The Worcester News reported on Saturday how Romanian born Cornel Hrisca-Munn, who now lives in Whittington with his adoptive parents Doreen and Ken Munn, had fought off competition from 441 other drummers to get down to the final 12 in Sunday's competition in Leamington Spa.

The 15-year-old, who attaches the drum sticks to special straps, had to perform a two minute drum solo, devise a part to go with a specially written track and was also given a blues shuffle track on the day which he had to write a part for and play.

Mrs Munn said: "He didn't win but he did fantastically well.

"He really excelled in the part where he had to write a piece in a short amount of time on the day, and in an interview with ten judges who all gave him a round of applause at the end.

"Some of the other drummers were really nervous but when Cornel was performing he was really enjoying it.

"He was in his element and can't wait to re-enter the competition next year."