A TALENTED young musician from Stonehouse has overcome deafness to earn a spot at a prestigious music festival in Poland.

Charlie Denton, 10, attended the Beats of Cochlea Festival, the third international music festival for children, youths and adults with hearing disorders.

With the help of cochlear implants, Charlie has beaten the odds to learn how to play both the piano and violin to a very high level.

Charlie was one of a specially selected group of people from around the world to travel to Poland, perform and learn from world class musicians.

“It was exciting to meet other people from around the world just like me who have hearing implants and love music too,” said Charlie who attends Eastington Primary School.

The festival,which took place last week, was designed to show people that loss of hearing is no longer an obstacle to developing a musical talent or appreciating music.

Charlie is the son of one half of the well-known Carducci String Quartet, meaning his diagnosis was a shock to his musical family.

However, they are extremely proud of the progress he has made and were pleased he was invited to play in Poland.

“When Charlie’s hearing deteriorated we didn’t know how much appreciation he would get from music,” said Charlie’s mum, Emma.

“However, when he was three and a half years-old we got him the implants and the way he was able to overcome his condition makes us extremely proud.

“Watching him play in Poland and expressing himself with other children from around the world was very pleasing as mother and musician.”