O2 hotdog sellers claim centre stage after talent contest

Two London teenagers who sold hotdogs at the O2 arena for pocket money have returned as winners of a talent contest.

With six other music students from Barking Abbey comprehensive making up "radio rock" band MT-Hedz, Ashley Walker and Jamie Pimenta, both 18, are set for a record deal after winning the London-wide X Factor-style contest.

They won the finals of Blastbeat at the O2, the first contest of its kind in Britain in which pupils from 66 inner-city London schools organised and hosted auditions for local talent.

Guitarist Walker, 18, said: "I sold hot dogs here for a year - I was here for almost every gig. I used to say to myself, 'I will be on that stage one day'. It was like a dream being up there."

Blastbeat was founded by Irish music entrepreneur Robert Stephenson, credited with bringing U2 to the UK for the first time. Mr Stephenson, 56, said: "The kids love it and I hear so many of them say it's changed their lives."