A GIFTED Ottery teenager is hoping to raise as much money as possible for a charity close to his heart when he performs his first solo show next week. Ben Scott, 16, is now only a week away from tinkling the ivories at Ottery s parish church in aid of the

A GIFTED Ottery teenager is hoping to raise as much money as possible for a charity close to his heart when he performs his first solo show next week.

Ben Scott, 16, is now only a week away from tinkling the ivories at Ottery's parish church in aid of the Melanesian Mission, a charity that supports the Pacific Island of Melanesia.

The talented A-level student said: "It is cyclone season until the end of the month and there was recently a big storm.

"The main island has only one road and bridge that connect to the various other islands and all of it has been destroyed.

"The church is heavily involved with the charity and several people I know visited the island for a few weeks.

"When they got back they have shown me photographs of the people and talked me through various things. It is truly a wonderful place and now it all needs to be replaced."

Kind-hearted Ben is looking forward to his first solo experience on stage, although he admits nerves are starting to creep in.

He added: "They have set in but if I wasn't nervous I would be worried. I'm very pedantic and I want every note to be right."

The concert will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 7.30pm. Tickets, to include light refreshments, will cost �6 for adults, �4.50 for concessions and �4 for children under 12.

They are available from Ottery TIC, (01404) 813964, Parish Church office, (01404) 812062 or on the door.