A teenage rock band from Newton Abbot is going from strength to strength, with a world-renowned star as their unofficial mentor.

Ethyrfield has had the support of Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi since lead guitarist Ben Cornish worked with the legend as a finalist in the 2015 Sky Arts Guitar Star TV show.

Ben, now aged 16, impressed Iommi with his rendition of Black Sabbath’s Into the Void.

Ben said: ‘It was the first time I’d played on my own, so it was a bit nerve-wracking.

‘But he was really nice and it’s a huge privilege that he continues to offer advice. The first person to hear any of our new material outside of the studio is Tony.’

Ben’s brother, 17-year-old Zach Cornish, is the band’s bass player and lead vocalist. Drummer Dan Ashton, aged 14, completes the band. Dan was just ten years old when the band formed four years ago.

Roger, Ben and Zach’s dad, said: ‘I thought Dan would be a bit young, but he came for a try out, picked up the drumsticks and blew us away. He was incredible then and he’s absolutely amazing now.’

All three band members are grade eight musicians and live in Newton Abbot.

Ethyrfield is wowing crowds wherever they play. They’ve played the American Ambassador’s residence, after winning the under 19s category of the Rock the House competition, and smashed this year’s Giants of Rock Festival at Butlins in Minehead. As the audience’s winners they’ll be back to play the main stage next January.

In June they rocked the Devon and Cornwall Metal 2 The Masses, and scooped a place in the 2018 Bloodstock Open Air festival in August.

Also in August they’ll be playing alongside 50 other bands at The Drunken Monkey Rock Festival in Worcestershire.

Ben and Zach’s dad Roger is so sure of the band’s success he’s given up his own professional music career with Riviera Dogs to make time to organise gigs, social media and travel for the band.

He said: ‘The audience see how young they are and think they’re just a bunch of kids. Then they play and their chins hit the floor. The sound the three of them produce is just incredible.

‘We’ve seen the band soar, which is why I decided to knock my career on the head to help. It’s a privilege to be with them.

‘They want to make a living at this. Not to live the dream, but to make a career of doing something they love.’

Ben and Zach attend Exeter College. Ben is studying performance and Zach music.

Zach, who started playing guitar aged eight, said: ‘I love the vibe of playing live and it’s cool to see the audience reaction. They tend to be really kind and buy a CD.’

Dan is at Newton Abbot College. He was aged eight when he tried the drums and by nine was playing in music school bands.

He said: ‘I used to take ages to get ready for school, but I started getting really quick so I’d have time to play. I like the drums because it’s easy to improvise.

‘I love those moments when you get a great reaction from the audience, especially when you’re playing your own material. You get goosebumps, there’s nothing like it.’

Stu Evans, music director of Drunken Monkey Rock Festival, said he was looking forward to welcoming Ethyrfield this summer.

He said: ‘They may look like kids, but once they start playing, audiences’ jaws drop and they are blown away.

‘This band is really going places and we look forward to watching them wow our crowds.’

For more information on the festival visit www.drunkenmonkeyrockfest.co.uk