A MALDON based musician is hosting an event to create a community for new musical talent to learn and grow.

Richard Townend, from Maldon, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist with 13 critically acclaimed albums to his name.

He stopped playing for 20 years after finishing college in Leeds but rediscovered his love for making music in 2008 in Maldon’s Bewick Suite.

He released his first album in 2011 and has written more than 250 songs since then.

He is hosting an open mic night for residents to get involved in, and for up-and-coming artists to try out their craft and new material to audiences.

Mr Townend said: “I have often attended open mics where people get up, play a cover, saunter off and chitter chatter when the next person gets up.

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“The idea of this open mic is to create a community of like-minded, independent, original artists wanting to help each other with support, encouragement and constructive critique.

“I’d like to think music fans would appreciate being on the embryonic stages of new local talent.”

He will soon be releasing his 14th album in May which he said, “is a document of life put to song”.

The event is on Wednesday, February 15 at 8pm at the Fox and Hounds in Birchwood Road, Cocks Clarks.

Entry to the event is free.

For more information, go to richardtownend.com.