For Seaton musician Tina Bridgman, her love for the guitar began at 13 years old.

Since then, she has travelled to the other side of the world to perform in New Zealand’s New Plymouth and Golden Bay. Now she’s returned home to play at this year’s FolkWeek outside the Grosvenor Tea Room.

She remembers attending the Sidmouth FolkWeek, now in its 60th year, when she was a little girl and, at the age of 17, when she joined her first band before eventually branching out as a professional musician and music teacher.

In July 2004, whilst living in New Zealand, she was a passenger in a car accident.

The damage meant surgery to remove her left hand; the amputation made her wonder if she could play again.

She said: “My first thought was ‘Oh no, what about the guitar? What if I cannot play the guitar?’ It took me two years to pick it up and find a new way how to play it, and I play it more than I ever have.”

The 48-year-old has recorded four albums of various genres and a mix of covers and original songs.

She said: “People say my music creates an idyllic ambience.

“It’s relaxing but you can still have a conversation and it doesn’t interfere.”

Visit http://tinabridgman.co.nz/ for more information.