A young piano prodigy has been practising furiously in anticipation of his first full recital at St John's, Smith Square.

Kerem Hasan, 14, from Claygate, began playing on a toy keyboard when he was just three but has embarked on a challenging programme of pieces by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt and Schubert.

The recital last Tuesday is the highlight of what has been an impressive musical career so far. He said: "I'm terribly excited. I've never been given such a big thing in my life. It's a great landmark for me. I've performed in a lunchtime recital at St Martin in the Fields before, but this one lasts a full hour-and-a-half and needs a lot of stamina."

The Kingston Grammar School pupil has been allowed a slightly reduced curriculum to allow him to focus on his music. And to avoid breaking any precious fingers, he has permission to opt out of PE classes and practice the piano or study instead.

With parents who love music but no particular history of musicality in the family, Kerem was introduced to all sorts of styles at a very young age. But his passion has always been for the piano.

He said: "There's such a huge range of music available, everything from baroque to modern, and so many technical flourishes which make it a fantastic instrument. I enjoy playing everything but I'm a huge romantic. Chopin, Schubert, Brahms - I absolutely love it."

At the tender age of eight, Kerem was awarded the title of Merton Young Musician of the Year. Not content to stop there, he went on to win the equivalent awards for the boroughs of Kingston and Richmond.

He also scooped second prize in national piano competition the Emanuel Trophy 2005.

And rather than attending a music college full-time, he is still being taught by his first piano teacher, Marion Blech from Wimbledon. He is playing at a concert at the Hotel Wayfairer in Wimbledon on Sunday, December 3, in aid of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, Greyhound Welfare and the London Wildlife Hospital at Beddington Park. Actress Annette Crosby will host. To buy tickets, call Mrs Blech on 020 8946 8135.