The sounds of Spain will be brought to a Norfolk barn on Saturday night for the homecoming of a flamenco guitarist.

Mark Shurey has been learning the traditional skills of the flamenco guitar since immersing himself in Andalician culture when he moved to the continent in 1999.

The 40-year-old, an osteopath by trade, has been learning from one of the Spanish masters to perfect his skills, Gerardo Nu�ez, one of Spain's most famous guitarists.

After growing up in Southrepps, in north Norfolk, Mr Shurey went on to attend Cromer High School and Norwich City College, before moving to live in the Golden Triangle area of Norwich.

He then worked as an osteopath in St Stephens Road before moving to Spain in October 1999.

On Saturday Mr Shurey returns to showcase his talent with a concert at Horstead's Tithe Barn, near Coltishall, from 8pm.

Mr Shurey said: 'This has been my first visit back to the UK in five years, although I'm planning more regular trips in the future. I have been playing in south Wales, Anglesey and Derby this week.'

The gig promises to be a special one as well, as Mr Shurey demonstrates the skills he has learned since first being inspired by legendary flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia at the age of 18.

After studying with English flamenco guitarist Steve Homes, he travelled around Europe in caravans with a gypsy family, accompanying dancers for a flamenco dance troupe.

Then, aged 27, he moved to Spain to learn flamenco from the gypsies of Andalucia, where he earned the gypsy name 'Pimientito'.

He studied for two years with gypsy maestro Ricardo de la Juana and studied a further two years as an accompanying guitarist for dancers in one of the flamenco dance schools in the Sacromonte caves, Granada. In the last five years his studies with Gerardo Nu�ez have seen him become the only English guitarist in the world to receive five diplomas in guitar technique from Nu�ez.

He currently lives in Granada, in southern Spain, and performs at regular concerts and recitals throughout Andalucia and even given lectures on the history of the guitar and the development of flamenco music.

Mr Shurey added: 'This is my only Norfolk date this year but I'm planning a bigger, as yet unspecified, venue around Easter next year.'

- For more information go to his website, www.pimientito.com

- Have you got a story for the Evening News? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk