A classically trained pianist turned acoustic guitar player who does not even own an iPod is heading for stardom after her homemade album topped the national iTunes chart.

Folk singer Kate Walsh, 24, of Brighton, knocked Take That from the top of the album chart just over a week ago with the songs she recorded in her producer's bedroom.

Lacking a major record deal, Kate made the record available in digital form only but soon won devotees after placing songs on her MySpace web page.

She persuaded iTunes to sell the album, called Tim's House, and last week it topped the online store's UK download album chart, displacing Take That and Kaiser Chiefs.

Not that Kate was a regular iTunes customer.

Kate, who trained at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, was given her first iPod when she was invited to perform at Apple's main London store to celebrate hitting the top of the charts.

Since then, she says, she has downloaded everything onto it but her own album.

She said: "Since iTunes became involved the album has been noticed by lots of people who have really loved it and bought it.

"It has been a bit of a whirlwind and since then I have been on tour. I am also still working part-time while all this is going on but it is just lovely to know that people know the album's out there and they are enjoying it."

The homemade quality of the album reflects the fact it was recorded at the home of producer and musician Tim Bidwell, of the Brighton band Hardkandy.

He created a sound-insulated vocal booth in the bedroom of his home in Kemp Town, Brighton, with velvet curtains he bought for £580 from Debenhams.

Kate, whose musical influences include Joni Mitchell, The Longpigs and Tori Amos, brought the album out on her own record label, Blueberry Pie, with Tim's help.

She said: "I really liked what he did and by the time I decided to release the album myself I really wanted him to produce the record."

Oliver Schusser, director ofiTunes Europe, said: "This is an incredible achievement when you consider Kate Walsh is unsigned and still outsold several major international artists."

Kate will spend this week touring the country supporting British artist Aqualung in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow before starting her first headline tour at the end of May.

She will play at an uncut night at the Red Roaster Cafe on St James's Street, Brighton, on May 17, as part of The Great Escape Festival which runs over three days next month.

To find out more about Kate and her music go to www.myspace.com/katewalsh