Being deaf makes Alan Higgins an unlikely musician. However, the South Norwood guitarist is using his knowledge of music to organise a charity rock gig in aid of breast cancer sufferers.

Alan, 51, lost all but five per cent of his hearing after he contracted measles and scarlet fever when he was just four years old. An operation to treat a dangerous brain infection saved his life but claimed most of his hearing.

Incredibly though, when he was just eight-years-old, Alan taught himself how to play guitar by biting the strings, feeling the vibrations of the sound it produced then memorising the note.

Alan said: "I have had to work so hard at it you wouldn't believe, and just to be able to play at an average level.

"Music is the main thing in my life, the only thing that kept me going in times of homelessness, rejection and poverty.

"The doctors managed to save a little bit of hearing in my right ear but it was still severely damaged. I can still hear some sound as long as it's very, very loud - like rock and roll.

"I played my sister's guitar by putting my teeth on the body, leaning forward and biting it. The sound vibration was picked up by the damaged ear nerves on the right side of my head.

"I bought an electric guitar and an amp with money saved from years of doing paper rounds and stacking shelves.

"When my parents were out I'd plug it in. At last I could hear something from the guitar."

Between the ages of four and 12 Alan underwent many operations and his frequent hospital visits resulted in him missing a lot of school, which affected his education.

He added: "When I did get back to school I couldn't hear the teachers, even with a hearing aid.

"I sometimes tell people my story so they realise how important it is to prevent children getting hearing loss and, if they do have it, subsequent care is taken with their education and psychological development.

"When I was growing up, no one seemed to have a clue what do to with me. I have mostly taught myself to read and write from reading, as school was a bummer for me.

"This is a hearing' world. Everything is geared around that. Language is the key to getting further in this life and if you're on the outside of that your bubble bursts."

l Alan's Rock and Blues Xmas Party for Breakthrough Breast Cancer will take place on Friday, December 1, at Mama K's Blues Bar, Ruskin House, Coombe Road, from 8pm to midnight.

Entry is up to £5 and includes a buffet.