VIRTUOSO Helen Crayford will give her own rags to riches portrayal of various piano classics to launch a lunch- time concert series next month.

The former child prodigy returns to the DLI Museum and Art Gallery in Durham to open the new autumn season of Wednesday lunchtime concerts, on September 18.

Her performance, dubbed Cakewalks to Concerts, is the latest in Ms Crawford's innovative Rags to Riches concert series, featuring pieces by Eubie Blake, Fats Waller and Igor Stravinsky.

Ms Crawford appeared to be cut out as a musician almost from birth, making her solo debut on the cornet at the age of just three.

She won a scholarship to become the youngest ever student at the Guildhall School of Music at the age of eight and as her ability flourished she had the opportunity to work with eminent conductors like Sir Georg Solti and John Eliot Gardiner.

Cakewalk to Concert Halls runs from 1pm to 2pm. For further information, call 0191-384 2214.