School given instruments played alongside Beatles

Musical instruments once used on stage alongside acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix, have been donated to a school.

The instruments were gifted by a late musician known as Digger, who was the grandfather of two pupils at Gordano School in Portishead.

After his death, his family decided to pass all his old musical equipment, including an electric piano, guitars, keyboards, and wind and brass instruments, to the school.

"It's wonderful that Digger's instruments will now be used to inspire a new generation of musicians," said Dr Martin Humphries, head of music.

After putting a social media call out asking for unused musical instruments, Dr Humphries said the school had received donations from students and families.

Digger was described by the school as a community-spirited musician with a passion for performing, and who taught students to play for much of his life.

His band played as a support for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, with the instruments donated having shared a stage with the famous names.

Ian Hawkins, musical technician, said: "It's great to have new instruments - it perpetuates musicality and it perpetuates musicians, which is wonderful."

Pupils have also expressed their gratitude, saying the donation would provide opportunities for students to learn new instruments.

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