AN aspiring singer-songwriter say he “couldn’t believe it” when one of his songs was recognised with a national award.

Jerome “Jay” Anthony, 43, won the unplugged acoustic category of the UK Songwriting Contest.

The contest is one of the world’s longest running and most popular and successful international songwriting events, and typically has entrants from all over the world.

It was launched in London in 2002 in association with prestigious bodies such as the BRIT Trust and the Guild of International Songwriters alongside top British producers and industry professionals.

Jerome was born in Colchester, and now lives in Pebmarsh with wife Claire, 30, and two children Aria, two, and Phoenix, nine months.

He said: “I am a self-employed landscaper but have written songs for many years.

“I have the basics for a studio in my garage, I spend a couple of hours on a couple of nights per week writing.”

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Jerome entered the competition, not expecting to win but thought it was a good opportunity to get his songs heard.

He said: “My wife Claire just said what have I got to lose, just sit back and see what happens.

“Eventually I got an email through at Christmas saying I was shortlisted as a finalist, and I was shocked.

“Then before you know it, I got a follow up email in February saying I had won.

“I couldn’t believe it; I didn’t even think it was one of the better songs I had even done.”

Jerome won with his song ‘Dotted Line’, which he described as a simplistic song, but one that the judges loved, with one saying it was “really current”.

After winning, Jerome stands a real chance of progressing his career, hoping to become a songwriter for huge artists.

He said: “The judges have worked with past winners and taken it further, some people have got publishing deals.

“The big thing is the international event, where my song is representing the UK, and I find out the result of that at the end of the month.

“My dream is becoming a professional songwriter, and this might really help me achieve that.”

To listen to Jerome’s song, visit bit.ly/35ghOlM.