DRUMMER turned designer has been nominated for an award.

Furniture and Homeware designer Lee Walsh of Heys Lane has beaten out hundreds of international entries to win one of six places in the finals for the made.com Emerging talent award.

The winner will have their design produced and sold through the Made website.

The 35-year-old's entry, 'Flex', which is a plywood storage tray that can be used as a fruit bowl and desk tidy solution, has been produced by Pendle Woodcraft in Darwen.

A local legend, Mr Walsh was part of Blackburn based band The Burn, who famously performed with The Rolling Stones in Paris in 2003.

The band also performed alongside Oasis, Paul Weller and Ian Brown and graced the Other Stage at Glastonbury festival in 2003.

Following the band's split, Mr Walsh then attended Manchester Metropolitan University University from 2005 to 2008 where he studied Three-Dimensional Design.

The father of one said: "I do miss it, but it all feels like another life for me now.

"Design is the new Rock and Roll as far as I'm concerned.

"It's my obsession and my addiction."

Mr Walsh now works for Ultra Frame in Clitheroe, where he designs roof systems.

"Basically I spend my day designing these systems, then I come home and lock myself in my office to work on my designs.

It was ex-band made Danny Davidson who suggested Mr Walsh enter the competition.

He said:"'Danny heard about the competition and let me know about it.

"He basically said, "You should enter this, I bet you'll win.""

"I'm not surprised I got this far because my work has been really well received but it's nice to get the recognition.

"To win would mean a great deal of exposure and the chance to form a relationship with a big British brand."

MrWalsh's designers are manufactured locally and sold online and in local retailers under his brand 'Lee Walsh.'

The winner will be announced on September 20 at an award ceremony held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as part of the London Edge Festival.

To vote for Mr Walsh's design visit www.made.com/talentlab/competitions/eta2017/entries/flex/