A GWENT man with cerebral palsy and a love for writing has set up his own record label.

Gavi Clifton, 34, of Pentwynmawr, took his song writing to the next level earlier this year and he recently set up his own record label called Clifton Music Records.

Mr Clifton said: “Despite having cerebral palsy and also a speech impediment, I've always been interested in writing.

“My parents back then fought for me to go to mainstream school, as the authorities wanted me to go a Special Needs School.

“Because of this fight and being allowed to attend mainstream school, I finished school with a few GCSEs under my belt, and since then have never looked back.”

In 2011, Mr Clifton, who has worked for Newsquest for 17 years, started to collaborate with local record producers, including Carl Simmonds, of Pinewood Audio, in Pontypool.

Mr Simmonds, who was the musical director for the BBC Fame Academy series a few years ago, helped Mr Clifton write his first song, Believe in Yourself.

Since then, Gavin has collaborated with two more record producers, one is Jeff Rose of Unit28 Studios in Newport, who has written two rock songs, and then the other collaborations are with Al Steele of Shabbey Road Studios in Caerphilly, including a song called Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool for Kirsten Orsborn who has been adopted as The Royal Marines Forces Sweet Heart. Gavin and Al have had a few of their songs played on BBC Radio Wales too.

“I hope to grow and really establish my record label over the next few years,” he said. “Up until now I have signed two acts to my label, a rock band called Between Waves and a very talented young singer-songwriter called Kaysha Louvain.”

Mr Clifton is running a concert night at Newbridge Rugby Club on Friday, December 2. He said: “Kaysha will be performing a live set including her new single and then, to finish off the night Between Waves will be performing a full live set too.

“It's going to be a fantastic showcase.

“I'm so grateful to Newbridge Rugby for hosting this event too, with room for a crowd of 200 people, this is the perfect venue to hold Clifton Music Record's showcase night.

“Hopefully there will be many more to come. “

Anyone who would like to attend the concert, please pop into Newbridge Rugby Club and purchase your tickets as soon as you can or keep an eye out on the Clifton Music Records Facebook page for any updates.