A GIFTED young singer and musician will take to the streets as part of a busking festival – and he needs YOU to vote for him.

Tom Roddis, a Year 6 pupil at St Thomas More Primary School, will take part in the Cambridge Busking Festival next weekend.

It won’t be the 11-year-olds first performance in the city, having performed in the Grand Arcade as part of the venue’s fifth birthday celebrations and more recently played at the Saffron Walden Jubilee Gardens charity music festival in May.

He has busked a few times in Cambridge and received a very positive response. It was on one of these occasions that someone suggested he enter the busking festival… so he has.

Tom said: “I’m really excited – I enjoy busking.”

And proud mum, Susie, added: “There are not many opportunities for 11-year-olds to perform but he absolutely loves singing in front of people. He has busked in Cambridge and had really positive feedback.

“He doesn’t seem to get nervous when performing at all.”

The fifth annual busking festival is taking place next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 28-30).

An array of music, dance and variety acts will perform in different locations around the city centre between 10am and 4pm – and the public vote for their favourite act. There are three categories – junior (under-18), adult singers and variety.

Those who vote are entered into a draw to win fabulous prizes themselves.

Voting will be online. For full details, go to cambridge.gov.uk/buskersfestival which will also take visitors to a list of acts taking part. It includes youtube links giving a sneak preview of what’s on offer.

Tom meanwhile, is also taking part in the live broadcast compered by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire between 10am and 11am on Friday at the opening of the festival, in front of the Guildhall.

To see Tom playing, click the link at the top right of this story.