But make sure that equipment is covered...

By Jennifer Hill

LONDON (Reuters) - Forget the glam and glitz of Wednesday's Brit Awards, the grass roots of Britain's music industry can be found in the nation's bedrooms.

That is according to a survey by the Halifax, which found that Britons recorded more than 300,000 albums-worth of original material in their homes last year.

It attributed the finding largely to the increasing affordability of digital recording equipment.

Unlike traditional, expensive analogue recording systems -- which need an entire room to house them -- today's computer and component-based equipment is affordable and takes up little space. For around 1,000 pounds, anyone can have their own recording studio in their bedroom.

Despite greater affordability, musical instruments and equipment costing a total 340 million pounds has been stolen over the past five years, according to the poll of 2,000 homeowners.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax, said: "While the Brit Awards congratulates the very best of Britain's musical talent, it's clear that many as yet undiscovered musicians are making -- and even recording -- music in their own homes.

"Although musical instruments and recording equipment have undoubtedly become more affordable, they're still not items that can be easily replaced if the unthinkable happens."

Items worth more than 1,500 pounds should be listed individually on home insurance policy schedules, it advises.