A COMPOSER has been awarded the first John Barry scholarship in memory of the Oscar winner, who was best known for the James Bond soundtracks.

Mitchell Tanner, of Tewkes Road, Canvey, was overwhelmed to be chosen for the prize, after applying to the Royal College of Music.

The former Furtherwick Park student was presented with the two-year scholarship by Mr Barry’s widow, Laurie, after being interviewed by composer David Arnold, who has worked on films such as Independence Day and Godzilla, and conductor Nicholas Dodd.

He said: “I had a long conversation with them and they said no one else had been considered since it began running two years ago, so it was quite a shock.

“Laurie Barry rang me from America and we had a long conversation and she was asking me about my family and was really, really nice and said she would look after me and make sure I was working hard.

“It has been a big year. This is a very big thing, especially for someone like me as there is no one musical in my family.”

Mitchell, 22, had always wanted to be a composer but it was his Seevic College teacher Peter Coates who encouraged him to pursue his dream and study a music degree at the University of East Anglia.

He then spent a year looking for a job in the highly competitive industry while working as a controller for Steve’s Taxis, on Canvey.

Last December, he applied to the Royal College of Music and was amazed when it considered his portfolio to be one of the best and put him forward for the scholarship.

The scholarship was funded by a memorial concert in memory of Mr Barry, who died in 2011, aged 77.

Mitchell, who has now started his two-year course, also received a letter of support from producer George Martin, who is famous for his work with the Beatles.