YOUNG people on Portland are being urged to gain skills as DJs, composers and musicians at regular free workshops.

The innovative Portland Rocks project is looking to recruit new members ahead of its packed 2011 programme, which includes performances at lots of community events.

The project has gone from strength to strength since it launched in September 2009 with £30,000 of funding from the National Foundation for Youth Music and now has 15 regular members.

Every Monday night during term time, 11 to 16-years-olds have fun playing ‘junk’ instruments made from discarded household and commercial materials with James Kimber, songwriting with Steve Garden and DJ skills with Matt Whiteside.

The group meets at Underhill Junior School from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Martyn Mullender, project manager of Portland Rocks, has urged more youngsters to take part.

He said: “We want young people aged 11 to 16 who would like to come and get involved.

“It’s targeted at Portland but if Weymouth people want to come along that’s fine.

“We have about 15 regular members, most do play instruments although we’ve had children who aren’t musically-minded join the project and then take up instruments as a result.

“We’re performing at the Big Grove Festival this year and putting on an event at the new Portland Skate Park in the spring.”

The project is the result of combined efforts by the Dorset Blues Society, Royal Manor Arts College, the Do Moore Fund, Weapons of Sound, Hot Jam International and the Dorset Youth Service, who aim to expand youth music making opportunities in the Fortuneswell North area.

Funding has been secured until autumn and plans are in place to enlarge the project and link it into the 2012 Olympiad.

Mr Mullender, who is also head of music at Royal Manor Arts College, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people from across Portland.

“This project could transform music making and truly make Portland rock. Last year it was singled out by the Youth Music National Office and staff and young people from the project gave a presentation and performance for the head of Youth Music in Bournemouth.”

Three young adult trainees, Lucy McCarthy, Amy Brown and Richard Samuel, have also joined the scheme, working alongside the experienced tutors to help youngsters to develop their skills as DJs, junk musicians and song writers.

To get involved go to Underhill Junior School, Portland between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Mondays in term time.

Alternatively find more information on the project by visiting portlandrocks.co.uk Youth Music is the UK’s largest children’s music charity, set up in 1999 to promote and support music-making opportunities for children with the least access.

Portland Rocks has been going for 12 months now and is a substantial two-year project with £30,000 worth of funding.

Events have included recording a CD of songs at Fuzzy Music Studios in Weymouth, performing at the Easton Promise, the Royal Manor Arts College Showcase, Revive Hallowe’en event, the Red Triangle fête, the First Portland Rocks Summer School, Big Grove Festival Portland among other community events.

Last year, a successful Portland Rocks summer school was also held, along with workshops at local youth clubs on Portland and an outreach workshop at the Compass, which is set to become a regular event.

For further information visit youthmusic.org.uk