FOUR talented young musicians are on top of the world, after making it through to the national finals of a prestigious talent competition, due to take place at the O2 arena in London this summer.

Ten Zero One stormed through the Live and Unsigned area final in Portsmouth at the weekend, beating off stiff competition from much older and experienced performers.

Their achievement is all the more remarkable when their age is taken into consideration — their oldest member is only 14 and the band formed just 12 months ago.

Max Williams, 13, Gary Lawrence-James, 13, Jack Rawlings, 12, and Charlie Smith, 14, were voted best band on Saturday, as they and a female singer beat off 20 other acts to make the competition final.

Max's mother, Kathryn Williams, said: 'It was just incredible, really tremendous.

'The band is now down to the last 12 in the rock category in the country!'

Kathryn said the judges stated at the beginning of the competition that they were looking for acts with unique appeal and the 'usp factor' — unique selling point.

She said: 'After about 17 acts had performed the judges were asked was there a stand-out performance and judge Radio 1's Tom Deacon came forward to say that Ten Zero One was doing it for him — my heart was just pounding at that point!'

'All the way through the competition the band has had to compete against all sorts of different genre, solo artists, folk, indy — to put this in context, the boys have made the final 60 acts in four different categories from over 10,000 entries — we just can't believe it!

'It was such an exciting event — what is the O2 going to be like?'

Kathryn said all the boys were a credit to their families — and had proved popular winners, even among the other bands competing.

'Lots of the other acts came up to the boys afterwards to congratulate them on their achievement and their music, which is so nice when they had not got through themselves,' she said.

Max's father, Andy Williams, said the Portsmouth competition was 'very nerve-racking' for everyone.

'They had to wait for about two hours to perform — Charlie was shaking at one point, but they really played well.'

The performance had to include an original piece of work and a cover.

The boys played a shortened version of one of their own pieces, Rat Pack, and their own version of Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

Andy said there were some 'very competent, professional bands' playing on Saturday — but Ten Zero One had proved they could hold their own.

'They didn't get rattled, they went with the attitude that someone had to win, and if they did their job well, put it across well, why not?

'They are still buzzing now!'

Judges' feedback for Ten Zero One was: 'They took the opportunity with both hands. Very impressive. Fantastic drummer and great vocals, keep it up! A few timing issues but definitely something there, a work in progress.'

Chris Grayston, events director of Live and Unsigned said: 'It's a fantastic achievement to make it to the grand final.

'Last year half a dozen acts were signed to both label and management companies.

'This marks a great opportunity for finalists being part of Live Fest, London's biggest indoor festival and playing the same festival as some of the biggest act names in the world.'

The Live and Unsigned grand final at the O2 will be held on July 23. Judges already confirmed include Radio 1's rock aficionado Daniel P Carter, Kerrang's Alex Baker, who presents the Unsigned show on Kerrang Radio, Kids in?Glass Houses' Aled and Iain, Tom Deacon, presenter of Sunday evenings on Radio 1 and Ryan Richards –drummer of Funeral for a Friend.

The competition final is part of Life Fest, London's largest indoor festival, which will feature acts such as The Hoosiers, N-Dubz and Tinchy Strider.