A TALENTED Southampton youngster has certainly hit the right note by scoring the highest possible mark in his first music exam - after just two terms of lessons.

Gareth Coffin, nine, began learning how to play the clarinet last year after pestering his parents for lessons from the age of three.

The Heathlands Junior School pupil, from Dawson Road, Sholing, developed a passion for the instrument after listening to the story of Peter and the Wolf, which is

accompanied by classical music, as a tot.

Gareth, who began his musical training with the recorder during his last year at infant school, was awarded High Honours in his Grade One clarinet exam after taking it in December.

Mum Lorraine, 35, said: "He was always saying he wanted to do it, right from when he was tiny.

"I believe it was quite early for him to be put in for the exam

and his music teacher was so stunned."

Mrs Coffin, said Gareth had always liked listening to Acker Bilk and, since receiving his exam results, had started thinking about following in his footsteps.

She said: "It's certainly made him think along those lines. He says he wants to be a mad scientist when he grows up, but now he's saying 'I could be like Acker Bilk if I wanted to'."

Gareth's younger brother, seven-year-old Adam, has also been inspired by his sibling's

success and has just taken up the recorder.

However, the youngster is still looking for some recognition from his schoolmates.

Mrs Coffin said: "A lot of his friends don't really realise what he's achieved. If he'd scored a goal at football they would think it was great.

"But we're really proud of him."