Young Cornish musicians who have released an album have had a track played on BBC Radio One.

The compilation CD, called "The Sound of Young Cornwall," comprises 16 songs and includes contributions from over 50 artists, mostly between the ages of 13 and 20. The album was recorded in the Zebs Youth Project recording studio in Truro.

Zebs is a youth centre that has been running for ten years. Zebs organiser Kev Downing said: "It started with a small group of young people and a youth worker - they used to meet in Truro library until they started renting an old warehouse off the council, and things took off from there.

"We do all sorts for the kids - we started doing a few music workshops, and saw children play who'd never held an instrument before. We thought - we've got to get rid of the intimidation of music and show that anybody can do it."

The team decided to take the music further, and two years ago Zebs managed to secure funding to fully refurbish the building and install a recording studio. £100,000 worth of building work has been carried out, the funds coming largely from charitable trusts.

"We had the studio for a year, and then we all took a step back, listened to the music the kids were creating, and said this is fantastic!' We had to get it all down on CD."

Yan Liktor, 19, has been coming to Zebs for seven years, and has a track on the CD. He said: "It's been a long time coming - it's been two years in the process - and it just feels great. It's been a lot of hard work, and it's over at last!

"Cornwall's usually overshadowed when it comes to young talent but now we've got a chance to show we're among the best in the country."

Kev said: "They learn everything - they record the tracks, design the album art, and even market the CD. Florence comes in every Friday and emails around DJs - they truly are recording and releasing their own music."

The group's marketing strategy seems to have succeeded - their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/zebsmusic, has received over 600 visits in the past one and a half weeks. It could be something to do with the fact that the musicians received international recognition last week, with tracks being played on XFM in London and Manchester, the Phil Jupitus show on Radio Six and Huw Stephens' slot on Radio One.

Kev said: "Everyone's really buzzing at the moment."

But plans for the future are a little more sobering. Gigs in Hyde Park? Record deals? "No - just trying to get some money! We're constantly having to ask for cash and the awful thing is that we will run out of it in April."

Kev hopes that the revenue from the new CDs will mean the centre will be less reliant on other organisations for funding. But for now, he's revelling in the excitement too - he says the new CD is "possibly the greatest compilation ever released."

Two of the Zebs bands, Hedluv and The Red Army, are doing an instore performance in Solo Music in Truro at 3pm on Saturday to promote the CD. This is free to attend and the CD will be available to buy.

The CD is £5 and all profits will be re-invested into the initiative, to help more stars of the future.

The album was released on January 29 and copies can be reserved by ringing Kev or Tim on 01872 225941. Truro HMV will also be stocking the album.