A MUSICIAN from Runcorn has won the finals of a national songwriting competition with his touching song about the battles of mental health.

Stevie Stewart, 24, bagged top prize at the Open Mic UK songwriters competition on January 20 at the Indigo O2 in London.

Other winners of the prestigious award include Lucy Spraggan and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley.

Stevie, who performs under the stage name Average Joseph, beat more than 10,000 people by impressing the judging panel and audiences with the song, Smiling up There, which he wrote following the death of his friend in 2016.

He said: "I honestly wasn't expecting to win- it's the first time I've won anything in my life and to do it with something I created is truly overwhelming.

"I'm really proud, not just for me but for my family and friends who have supported and encouraged me to move forward with my music and I know my friend really will be Smiling up There."

Stevie has recently been struggling with own mental health but music has helped him to express himself.

His talent could now land him the possibility of being signed by a record company.

For more information about the competition visit its website.