SONGWRITER Tom Westlake, of Wellington pop-rock band Last One Home, has made it into the semi-finals of an international songwriting competition.

His track Land of Immortality, recently released with an accompanying video, has made it into the final stages of the UK Songwriting Contest, which accepts entries from around the world.

The news follows Tom’s top ten entry in the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition of 2017, with the song Something to Hope For, and the band’s recent success in the Glastonbury FM Songwriting Competition with rock song Bring Down the Storm.

Tom, who is lead guitarist and vocalist with the band, said: “The UK Songwriting Contest is one of the world’s most popular competitions for songwriters, so I’m incredibly pleased to have got this far with my first ever entry.

“I’ve written more than 20 songs for myself and the band which we perform regularly, so making it to the semi-finals is really confidence-boosting and reassures me I’m on the right track.”

Top industry professionals will hear the semi-finalists’ songs. Songs are automatically entered for Lyricist of the Year and in a new Commonwealth Songwriting Contest. The UK Songwriting Contest was launched in 2002 in association with The BRIT School, Music Aid UK and top industry professionals.

Last One Home are playing at The Cheese and Grain, Frome, on September 15; The Cavern, Exeter, on September 19; and Music Expo 18, The Royal Bath and West Showground on September 22.