AFTER calloused fingers, hours of practice and a countless renditions of Smoke on the Water, one guitar student has so impressed with his skills that he has been given an award.

AFTER calloused fingers, hours of practice and a countless renditions of Smoke on the Water, one guitar student has so impressed with his skills that he has been given an award.

Dan Rich, 24, has overcome learning difficulties and autism to be labelled “the best student ever” by his tutor after nine months of day-in, day-out practice.

The musician's efforts led to Geoff Gordon creating certificates and buying an amplifier worth �150 for his student, which he handed over in a surprise ceremony last week.

Mr Gordon, who has taught guitar for nine years, presented the award during one of their weekly lessons at his home in Gorleston.

He said: “The guy is a diamond. When I'm teaching him in the lesson he works so hard, and I've never seen anyone work as hard as he has.

“Dan has never been late to a lesson, he is very patient with his progress and he is a shining example to all students. He has been outstanding and he's got so much energy. I've thought about doing this for a while when he was moaning about his amp at home in June and I told him he had to practice every day, never thinking he actually would, but he has.”

Dan, who lives in Bradwell, enjoys djing, has been kickboxing for three months and also trains with the Carpathians football team.

Having been keen to play the guitar for years, with the help of Alan Powell from the Community Support Team and his family he was able to get in contact with Mr Gordon in March.

He said he was pleased with the amplifier and two certificates for outstanding achievement he had been given, before adding: “I didn't know anything was going to happen but I'm pleased with my progress, and at the moment I am working on playing Bryan Adam's I Do It For You.

“I think Geoff is a really good teacher and in the future I would like to be in a rock band like Iron Maiden.”

As part of his lessons, Dan gave a DVD of his playing to his parents.

His mother Carol, 52, is delighted with his progress. She said: “I'm so pleased with him, and he has really surpassed all our expectations and having been with him to some of his lessons I think he is really good.”