AT the tender age of 14, he's Thornden School's Piano Man.

But it's more Chopin and Brahms than Billy Joel for talented Chandler's Ford teenager Ashley Fripp, who left guests open-mouthed playing both classical pieces and his own compositions when he became lounge bar pianist at the Hilton Hotel in Chilworth two years ago.

Since then the musical maestro has won a place at The Royal College of Music in London, which he attends on Saturdays, so he hasn't had much time to tinkle the ivories on the hotel's baby grand.

But Ashley is now preparing for his first recital which will be staged in the Chandler's Ford school's new £2.9m state-of-the-art concert hall in September - and the young man has decided to make it a charity event in aid of the children's hospice Naomi House in Sutton Scotney.

The youngster, whose ambition is to play in the Royal Albert Hall, said: "It will be my debut recital and will be quite an experience for me.

"I thought it would be nice to donate the money somewhere and a lot of people are familiar with Naomi House. It will be a chance to help children my age and younger who are not as fortunate as me."

Ashley was recently named Highcliffe on Sea Young Pianist of the Year at the Forest Edge Piano Festival, won the Marjorie Humby Memorial Competition at the Royal College of Music and next month auditions for the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

He has been playing the piano for five years and practices for three hours a day, rising to six or seven hours on Sundays.

"I played at the Titanic Convention at the Hilton Hotel and I played a piano solo in the first concert at Thornden Hall. But this is the first time I will be doing a whole concert with just me in it," said Ashley.

He said that September's recital would be "classical with a small c" because he is not keen on pop music.

But he added: "I'm open-minded to all forms of music, but everyone has their own tastes."

Proud dad David said: "The Thornden Hall seats 400 and we are hoping to fill it."

Tickets for the September 20 recital are expected to go on sale next month and can be obtained by phoning Mr Fripp on 07970 266368.