Music industry experts visited a vocational college to give practical advice and perform for aspiring music students.

Matt Cooling, director of Soundbox Music Ltd, singer-songwriter Rebecca James and session guitarist Dan Lloyd chatted with students on the Music Practice, Production and Technology courses at the North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot).

The panel spoke about the value of networking and how to make contacts, career options and the relationships between roles, and their views on the future of the industry.

They also told the students how to market themselves effectively, the best ways to use social media, how to stand out and how to increase their chance of getting signed.

Sapphira Gold, section leader for music at the Ewell college said: "We’re really grateful to Matt, Rebecca and Dan for giving up so much of their time to help the students.

"We put a real focus on preparing the students to work in the industry, and we know it’s really valuable for them to hear advice that’s relevant to them from professionals already working there.

"As a team we have a lot of experience between us in different areas, but it’s really important that the students get to see and hear things from as many different perspectives as possible."

Mr Cooling studied performing arts at Nescot and is now director at Soundbox, a Sutton-based record label and publishing house which last summer opened a recording studio in the town centre.