Funky youngsters from Ham have been strumming, drumming and singing in their new outdoor music studio built in a shipping container.

But despite the unusual surrounds, teenaged visitors to Ham Youth Centre will not feel all at sea when they enjoy the new BeatBox studio, as they have already had several months practising music in the youth centre’s indoor music studio, which opened in February.

Anne Minors performance consultants, which are responsible for piloting the BeatBox scheme with fellow design company Sound Space Design, said they hoped the box would become a permanent fixture.

Anne Minors said: “The idea came from realising that a quiet space which is portable and soundproof might be useful to a lot of people.”

The studio is a fully soundproofed area where bands of up to five members can practise without disturbing neighbours. It is currently undergoing a three month trail by Richmond Council’s youth service.