A MUSIC producer and DJ who grew up in a Herefordshire village and played his first gigs in the area has finally topped the UK singles chart.

220 Kid, who grew up in Weobley and has been championed by BBC Music Introducing in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, remixed Nathan Evans's viral sea shanty track with Billen Ted.

The track, Wellerman, climbed to the top spot after seven consecutive weeks in the top three, according to the Official Charts Company.

It dethroned Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers License after nine weeks at the summit.

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Producer 220 Kid, whose real name is William Graydon, added: “Official number one single. I can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true.

"No matter how much goes wrong, or how many obstacles you reach, as long as you overcome them, you will eventually get there.

"The support on this record has been unbelievable. It’s really been magical. Thank you so much.”

Hereford Times: Nathan Evans found fame on TikTok. Picture: @nthnevnss/PA Wire Nathan Evans found fame on TikTok. Picture: @nthnevnss/PA Wire

Nathan Evans, a 26-year-old former postman from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, said: "We’ve done it. Unbelievable, I’m speechless. Everybody’s support has been absolutely fantastic, thank you each and every one of you. We made it.”

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Their track fended off competition from rappers A1 & J1 at number two, with Latest Trends and Patience by KSI featuring Yungblud and Polo G at number three.

Evans quit his job as a postman earlier this year after helping to kickstart a viral craze of sea-shantying on TikTok and signing a record deal with Polydor Records.

Famous names including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ronan Keating and Gary Barlow also joined in with the trend and recorded their own sea shanty covers.

Wellerman was boosted by Evans’ first TV performance of the track on an episode of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.