SINGING solo to an audience is always a daunting test for a young performer.

But Cathedral chorister Joseph Rawlins is facing a huge challenge as he practices for the biggest day of his young musical career.

The 12-year-old chorister has been chosen to sing a solo at the enthronement, as Archbishop, of Dr Rowan Williams at Canterbury Cathedral on February 27. It is a technically complex and lengthy piece from Benjamin Britten's Festival Te Deum.

The pupil of St Edmund's School in Canterbury admitted to being excited but a little nervous at the prospect of singing to a television audience of millions around the world.

He said: "When the choir was practising the piece, everyone was thinking, oh no, I hope it's not me. Then our choirmaster Dr Flood pointed at me and I knew I was probably going to be doing it."

But it will be a proud moment for Joseph's family, who live at Hothfield, near Ashford.

His mother, Anna said: "We are very excited but I think I am more nervous than he is at the moment."