A GLASGOW musician has been left sorely disappointed after he missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play guitar on-stage with a popular US rock band.

Graeme Craig entered and won a competition to perform with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the American state of New Hampshire.

However, the 30-year-old IT analyst said he had to turn the prize down after being given just THREE days’ notice via email.

Describing how it was “impossible” financially to get flights to there from Glasgow at such short notice, Graeme, from the South Side of the city, said: “There was a competition running at a US radio station that was brought to my attention. The prize was to play on stage with Thirty Seconds to Mars, receive a signed guitar and tickets to see them play.

“I had just applied for a laugh and then forgot all about it. Then, on Saturday night, I got an email to say I’d won, but would have to make my own way to the US by Tuesday.

“With flights around the £2,000 mark, I couldn’t afford it. I told the company who ran the competition and their last words to me were ‘take care’.

“The Thirty Seconds to Mars fanbase is crazy, but we’re like family. They set up a petition for me and have been bombarding the guys on social media to get their attention.

“It’s been getting shared widely and, so far, it’s been signed in India, Peru, Japan and the US. It’s mad.

“I spent around £1,000 to see them with my girlfriend when they came to Glasgow in March. I’ve thrown a fair bit of money at them, I’m that big a fan.”

The online petition set up to gather support from fellow fans in order to be given a second chance has, in under 24 hours, gained around 100 signatures, but more are needed.

Graeme, a guitarist in band Neon Hurricane, has played the instrument ever since he can remember. Appealing to Evening Times readers, he said: “Help a Glasgow musician achieve his dreams.”

To support Graeme in his mission, click here to sign the petition.