Tom Milner, 16, of Northowram, Halifax, is the oldest member of Unknown Cause, the only act from Yorkshire to have made it to the national final of the Live & Unsigned Under 18s competition on Saturday June 28 at Fairfield Hall, Croydon.

Unknown Cause are based at Intake High School Performing Arts College, Bramley, Leeds, where they all met.

Lead singer Tom, who will be 17 just before the final, is currently filming his second series of the BBC's Waterloo Road show and is studying drama at Calderdale College, Halifax. The band was originally formed four years ago but for the past two years the line-up has consisted of Tom, Sam Masterson (guitar), Steven Barlow (rhythm guitar), Sam Kelly (bass) and Tom Lilley (drums). They beat off competition from 10,000 other hopefuls to reach the final.

Tom said: "We write all our own songs and all just love performing. We all have supportive families who work together to help keep us all grounded in these exciting times of rock and roll. We couldn't do this without our fans and we're really pleased to be taking around 75 people with us to the final."

The overall winner of the under 18s competition wins the opportunity to record their own complete album. Unknown Cause are playing The Station pub in Guiseley, Leeds, tomorrow (9.30pm).