A YOUNG concert pianist who has appeared at venues across the UK and beyond is returning to his Durham roots for two recitals next week.

Stephen Raine, 23, who hails from West Rainton, near Durham City, will be performing Beethoven’s Pathetique and Moonlight Sonatas, alongside works by Bach and Chopin.

He will appear at North Road Methodist Church, in Durham City, at 7.30pm on Thursday (November 6) and at Belmont Parish Hall, at 7.30pm on Saturday (November 8".

Mr Raine, who began studying music at the age of six, attended Durham Sixth Form College. He achieved the highest grade in the 2010 AQA Media Studies A Level out of 51,000 UK candidates, for which he received the top student award in London.

He graduated in 2013 with a First Class Honours degree and a Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) diploma in Classical Piano Performance.

He has performed in various UK venues and was invited in to perform several recitals at the 40 Fingers International Music Festival in Rome.

Tickets at the door are £8 (£6 conc), Refreshments available.