A 12-year-old Salford schoolboy has won The Salford Foundation Trust’s Johnny Marr award.

John Denton, of the band The Height, has become the first recipient of £1,000 funding to pay for extra singing and guitar lessons courtesy of the award from Johnny Marr.

He was selected for funding by the charity The Salford Foundation Trust, which operates the Johnny Marr Award to support talented youngsters in the city.

John began playing after he received a guitar for Christmas at the age of eight. He then gained a social media following by busking on the Manchester streets, before forming up-and-coming band, The Height last year. The band have since performed at the likes of Irlam Live.

He was selected for the award by a panel at the Salford Foundation Trust, a local charity which supports talented young people in the city. The Johnny Marr Award will run for three years, selecting another young musician from Salford each year for financial assistance.

John’s dad Phil Denton said: “John’s ambition is to have a career in music. He will be using the funding to have music lessons to help both his guitar playing and his singing.

“In these tough times it’s a massive help and means that he can progress in his passion.

“Music is not a hobby for John but just who he is and a creative outlet he hopes to enjoy for the rest of his life. He is incredibly grateful to Johnny and the Salford Foundation Trust who have provided this opportunity.

“It is a real privilege to get this award and he is determined to make the very most of the opportunity he has been given.”

Johnny Marr said: “It’s a pleasure and privilege to give some assistance to a young musician especially when they’re as dedicated as John. Well done brother.”

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