DOCTORS told Russell Ballard's parents, John and Jane, that their son would never walk, talk, read or write. If they'd been asked, they'd probably have said he'd never play the guitar either.

However, Russell, who lives in Leominster, doesn't believe in a negative attitude.

Russell, who is 24 years old, has learning difficulties, the result of faulty connections in the neural pathways between his right and left brain, but it's not something that gets in his way.

When he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, fate sent him John MacLachlan. John is teaching Russell to play the electric bass guitar and has made a recording artist of him.

Lost Family Tracks is a CD featuring five of John's students and two guest performers, recorded to showcase the students' achievements and raise funds for Children in Need.

Although the electric bass guitar is a favourite with heavy metal bands and Russell is a Metallica fan, the CD leans more towards the blues spectrum.

"Russell is amazing," said John MacLachlan. "He's made fantastic progress since I met him."

Music plays a huge part in Russell's life - when he's not practising on the Fender his parents gave him for his birthday, he's listening to music in his flat, where he lives alone supported by a team of carers.

"My neighbour had to bang on the wall one day,"said Russell, "because I'd turned the volume up so high."

Russell's enthusiasm for the guitar follows an earlier flirtation with the drums, and it's an interest he shares with his younger brother Ian who also plays the guitar.

Lost Family Tracks is available at The Blue Note caf and The Granary in Leominster, the Wellington Pub and direct from John MacLachlan. Call John on 01544 388520 for details.