A FENLAND beatboxer performed at the 02 Academy in London but failed to progress through the regional heart to make the main finals of a national championship.

Oliver Griffen, 21, from March, qualified for the South-East heat of the 2011 Vauxhall UK Beatbox Championships after impressing judges with a two-minute demo.

But the College of West Anglia student came up against his friend Scott “Layth” Latham, who is ranked third in the UK, in the first round at the Academy in Islington and lost. Winners of each battle were chosen by the crowd and the judging panel throughout the event.

The 21-year-old said: “It’s an inner hobby really that’s developed but I’m not too disappointed that I didn’t get through as I hadn’t expected too.

“I just really love the social side of beatboxing and doors are really starting to open for me now.”

Beatboxing is defined as vocal percussion involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue and voice.

The beatboxer - who performs under the name of Griff - recently performed in Paris and will be heading out to show off his vocal skills in Switzerland soon.