An Ammanford-born musician is swapping behind the scenes for centre stage this weekend as he competes in a televised music competition.

Richard Vaughan and fellow musician Andy Parks were part of the band of a touring pantomime last Christmas and ended up entering Cân i Gymru, an annual music competition broadcast on S4C.

The duo co-wrote Fy Nghariad Olaf I (My last love) towards the end of last year, and it has been shortlisted to become the song for Wales along with nine other tracks.

The 35-year-old said: "The song is a funky gospel number which Andy and myself composed in around two hours in a bar in Bangor.

"We were on the road and Andy suggested that we entered Cân i Gymru so we did and we are now in the final 10.”

This is not the first time that Richard has been involved in the competition.

Over previous years the professional composer has entered the show as part of a band, a backing singer and has even sat on the adjudicating panel but this will be the first time his composing skills will be put to the test.

"We recorded the track with Caitlin McKee who will be singing the song live on the night along with an in-house band, so the pressure is on Caitlin and not as much for us,” he said.

"I have known Caitlin for some time through being members of the same choir and I used to live next door to her grandparents in Penygroes before I moved to Cardiff.

"As far as I know a person from Ammanford hasn't won the competition in over 20 years so let's hope that changes on Saturday."

The winner gets to walk away with a prize of £5,000 and a chance to represent Wales in a Celtic festival this year, but splitting the money won’t be an issue for the pair.

Richard added: “I am getting married in May and we have a joke going on that I will be giving most of winnings to him if we do win because he’ll be playing at my wedding.”

Cân i Gymru is being shown on S4C this Saturday, March 11 at 8.25pm and Fy Nghariad Olaf I will be the last song performed on the night.