A TALENTED teenager from the North-East is to play at a charity gig alongside his musical hero, Sir Elton John.

Craig Mallaby, 15, of Yiewsley Drive, Darlington, impressed the superstar's producers when he visited Townhouse Studios in London.

He won a draw after visiting the website eltonjohn.com to go to the recording studio for a preview of his new album, Peachtree Road, which is released on November 8.

As part of his tour of the studio where the album was made, Craig, who plays keyboard, piano, guitar and cello, was allowed to try out Sir Elton's own piano.

He wowed organisers of the musician's fan club when he belted out hits from the music legend's last album, Songs From The West Coast.

They were so impressed that they asked him to play at Lunch Around The World, a benefit gig to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Craig, a pupil at Hummersknot School and Language College in Darlington, said: "Music has always been something I have wanted to do and I would like to follow in his footsteps.

"I don't know what I am going to play but I am already practising and will be non-stop.

"I am really looking forward to it."

Earlier this month, Craig received a Vibe Award, backed by the Northern Echo, at a ceremony at Darlington Civic Theatre for his outstanding contribution to drama and music.

He visited London on October 22 with his grandparents after he was told he had won the competition.

While he was there, chart-toppers Coldplay were also recording in the studio, giving him a glimpse into the high-profile music world.

Craig said: "It was quite short notice and I didn't know whether I would be able to go, but I am pleased I did because it was brilliant.

"When I got there, I was met by the website editor and their team and they took us for a coffee and we met all the people at the studio.

"Then we went to hear the album in the studio it was recorded in. It was really good.

"It was a really posh studio. The whole thing was out of this world."

Published: 01/11/2004