MUSIC will fill the hall of a church once again thanks to a £9,500 grant to get a new grand piano.

It means that talented musicians can now play to their hearts content at Holy Trinity Church, on Market Gate.

Warrington Arts Council Initiative for the Development of Music (WACIDOM) uses the church as a venue for lunchtime recitals.

Norman Cutter, chairman of WACIDOM, said: “We have been organising these recitals for more than eight years now and recently it became apparent that they were very much in the balance until we received the grant. We can now plan for the future with every confidence.”

The cash for the new instrument came from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to replace the old piano, which was converted from a pianola.

The recitals give opportunities to young musicians mainly from the Royal Northern College of Music to perform in public and give the public a chance to enjoy classical music.

The Rev Steve Parish of Holy Trinity Church, said: “The free lunchtime concerts right at the heart of the town are a great chance to hear some talented young artists and we’re very pleased that Holy Trinity can host them.”

An inaugural concert was held on Saturday featuring Culcheth resident James Willshire, renowned as one of the country’s outstanding young pianists and more are planned for the next four Saturdays at lunchtime.

Leon McCawley, patron of WACIDOM, said “This is wonderful and heartening news particularly considering the current financial climate.

“It is especially pleasing for me, as a Warrington-born pianist, to see that classical music in this area is getting the necessary support that it fully deserves so that locals can enjoy and appreciate the fine young talent that the north west has to offer.”

Pictured: Pianist James Wilshire with the Rev Steve Parish, Mayor and Mayoress, Clr Clrs Graham and Elaine Wellborn, Norman Cutter, chairman of WACIDOM and Diane Smedley DGF260409