THESE talented brothers are battling against each other to become the 2012 BBC Young Musician of the Year.

Richard Rayner, 17, and his 15-year-old brother Peter both live and breathe music, playing the drums, percussion and piano.

Having both passed their Grade 8 drum exams, when they were 10 and 11, they qualified to take part in the BBC's 2012 competition to find the best young musician and have made it past the regionals and into the quarter-finals.

Their mum Karen Rayner said: "I really hope they both get through the next round, which will see just five percussionists left in that category.

"They both played in Manchester at the weekend, as a group of seven and I can't believe they won't both get through.

"We will find out next week."

The boys both started playing the drums from the age of six, utilising an old drum kit left at their home in Howe Green by an ex-band mate of their dad's, Mark.

Mrs Rayner said: "I am not musical at all and their dad only played casually but we realised early on that they were serious about playing and set up a music studio at home.

"Their 14 year-old sister Rebecca also plays.

"They are both as thick as thieves and really supportive of each other. Both would be really happy if the other one got through."

Richard currently attends and boards at Felsted School, where he studies music technology – learning how to record music and manipulate sounds.

He won UK Drummer of the Year in 2009, a year in which he also toured with well-known artists such as Austrian Thomas Lang from band stOrk, and he will be travelling to Thailand with his own band, Franko next year with rock sensation Incubus.

Richard said: "I would say that I am best at drums but really enjoy playing percussion, such as the marimba (a large xylophone). "Peter and I practise a lot and our teacher – Rob Farrer – said that it would be good for us to enter the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. It inspires you to do better and learn more pieces.

"I do not think winning will make much difference. It is the effect it will have on us and I think it's good to have to perform in front of really professional people."

Slightly younger, but competing alongside his brother, Peter attends the Sandon School and both boys travel to the Junior Guildhall in London every Saturday for lessons in tuned percussion, drumming and jazz piano.

Peter said: "I guess when I started playing it was a competition with Richard but it isn't now.

"We have played in the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House. It would be nice for us to get through the next stage together. I would like to do something professional with music in the future."