AN Oxford rapper has been chosen from thousands of hopeful musicians as a finalist in a search for the best young singing star.

Elliott Haslam, who performs under the name Mr Shaodow, is one of 11 performers who will take to the stage today for the first Mouth Cancer Voice Awards.

Mr Haslam, from Headington, was the only rapper who entered the competition, which advertised for singers - but the judges were so impressed with his talents they decided he should go into the final.

He said: "My music means a lot to me and I try and get around as much as I can. I found an advert for singers and I approached the person setting it up and I said I couldn't sing, but I rap - and I'm pretty good at it."

Mr Haslam, a student at Oxford Brookes University, said he was surprised and delighted to find he had reached the final, which will be held at the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre in central London today, in front of an audience.

He said: "I'm still kind of floating on it. There was a lot of talent on the website and I really didn't think I would get that far.

"I think singing is really impressive and I find it a shame that I can't do it - but I have found a talent in rapping and I'm really glad that has been recognised."

Originally from Lewisham, in London, Mr Haslam's roots are in opera, but he started rapping in 2004. He said: "I would say I am an unusual rapper. The main thing I am trying to do is move away from meditative gangster street life and bring it back to the music."

The awards, which will be judged by a panel including television presenter Julia Bradbury and comedian and actress Helen Lederer, were launched in a bid to raise awareness of mouth cancer among students.

Mr Haslam, who studies law and business, said the fact the event was for charity made him particularly keen to take part. He is in the process of writing a rap on the subject of mouth cancer to perform at the event. The winner of the award will receive a day's studio recording at Insomnia Music, London.