When you're in a boyband there's always the fear that one member will do a Zayn Malik and go solo - but that's something Ben Hoenes will never have to worry about.

Ben, 20, decided to quit his old band and create a new one, but instead of auditioning for members he used digital technology to make three clones of himself.

The four Bens together make up The Projectones, an acapella pop group.

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'They' are currently rehearsing for live shows which will take them off YouTube and into local venues.

Ben, from Thanet, was inspired to form The Projectones after watching people on YouTube doing layered acapella songs.

He said: "I saw the YouTube videos and thought I'd like to take that idea and put it onto a stage - layered acapella shouldn't be limited to online viewing."

Video: The Projectones in action

Ben then bought a green screen for £70 and, with the help of his parents and tech-whizz brother Fraser, 17, he filmed his first Projectones video, An Introduction to My New Act.

He used the programmes After Effect and Final Cut to help stitch the 'band members' together.

During the video, which took a week to make, Ben and his 'band-mates' discuss their new type of musical act in a "loosely scripted" conversation, calling it a "fusion of stage and screen".

'They' go on to perform numerous classics including Temptations' My Girl and The Beach Boys' God Only Knows.

According to Ben, timing is a key part of the performance. He said: "I want to make it feel immersive and the audience to forget they're watching a screen."

Although Ben, who chose to work on his music instead of go to university, is excited by his new act, he does miss "the fun of being in a band".

He said: "It's definitely lonely - you can't beat that sense of camaraderie. It's way more fun than being a solo artist."

He added: "My old band don't mind that I've gone solo - as long as I don't steal their gigs."

Ben said his girlfriend Elisabeth, who is at university in Warwick, is happy he's found something he feels passionate about, as before The Projectones came about he was "quite listless".

The musician is going to see whether he can make a living from his new concept and is hoping to organise some Christmas performances.

Ben, who has classical vocal training, said: "I'm in the midst of recording an hour-and-a-half-long set to take on stage. I'm thinking it will be a trip through the genres, from the Beatles to 70s disco.

He added: "I want to have a big variety of music to appeal to as many people as possible."

Ben is also planning on recreating music videos with his 'band', for example Queen's iconic Bohemian Rhapsody video or A-ha's Take On Me.