An eight-year-old piano prodigy from Whetstone has been nominated for a Rising Music Star award.

Curtis Elton, who attends Haberdashers School, in Butterfly Lane, Elstree, is a nominee in the Nickelodeon Fruit Shoot Skills Awards which will take place on July 21 at the ICC in Birmingham.

Television channel, Nickelodeon, is teaming up with Robinson’s Fruit Shoot to celebrate the accomplishments of talented children.

Curtis, who has been playing the piano since he was four, is the youngest pianist to have passed a Grade 8 exam. He is now studying for his diploma.

Curtis’s mother, Hayley Elton, 38, said: “He has just taken to it. He loves to learn. I am also an international concert pianist.

“The call to say he had been nominated came out of the blue but it is nice for him to have his achievements recognised.

“He deserves it and he is looking forward to the competition. He would love to win.”

Ms Curtis is not able to reveal what her son will be playing at the awards but he is a big fan of jazz music and also of Chopin.

The award ceremony, and performances from all nominees, will be broadcast on Nickelodeon on August 1.

At the ceremony there will also be awards in the categories Coolest Moves, Best Trick, Rising Sport Star and Big Talent.

To vote for Curtis visit the Nickelodeon Fruit Shoot Skills Awards website and click on his picture.