A MUSIC promoter is hoping to help youngsters create their own tunes in a bid to stop them making the mistakes he made in his youth.

Ross Vallance, of Western Avenue, Park Royal, already runs house music nights for charity after recently embarking on a career change. The former chef put on his first event, called Charity in House, in Vauxhall last month in aid of children's cancer charity The Joe Glover Trust and Brainwave, which supports youngsters with brain damage.

Now he wants to go further and run sessions teaching children to make their own music, DJ and MC, in the Off Road Project.

The father of three, 33, said: "I want to catch them when they're about eight, that's the age when they can turn either way. I called it the Off Road Project as a play on youth culture. The expression 'on road' means on the streets, hanging around and up to no good."

Mr Vallance's idea is backed by the Oak Tree Community Centre, in Braybrook Street, East Acton, where he hopes to hold the sessions. Many of his friends who are top DJs and are offering to give up their time to teach.

Mr Vallance said: "I grew up in West Kensington and used to hang around with the wrong crowd. I'm older and wiser now and haven't been in trouble with the law for a considerable amount of time. I want to give something back and stop others making the same mistakes."

His resolve to help was strengthened recently when he saw some kids breaking into a car in Acton.

He said: "They must've been no older than 11 or 12. There was nothing on show in the car, they were just doing it for the thrill because they were bored. My project would give kids something to do and a skill they can use. It's early days, but if it's successful it could go London, or even nation, wide.

If you can help with funding or want to find out more, email Mr Vallance at charityinhouse@yahoo.co.uk or call him on 0752 784 8118.