CLASSICAL music delighted shoppers in Northwich when a professional busker spent his last Tuesday in the town centre before setting off for Europe.

Dave King leaves for Spain next week and will play in France, Austria and Germany before coming back to Northwich at Christmas for a performance in Bratts department store.

He said: "I like playing in Northwich. I t's a nice atmosphere and the people aren't yobbos."

Dave, aged 44, trained at Chethams music school in Manchester and has been a professional busker for 10 years. Prior to that he combined it with a full-time job as a clerk in Manchester Town Hall.

He said: "Playing every day is real pleasure and better than any job I've ever had.

"Buskers have a bad reputation but I don't do that whole dog on a string thing and I only stay in one place for an hour before moving on to a new spot because I know it might not be everyone's cup of tea."

Joan Hubbard, owner of Crafty Stitches, in Witton Street, loved Dave's music.

She said: "It's wonderful. I'd nearly pay him to stay and I've done nothing but sing his praises since he stood outside my shop."

Another happy listener was shopper Cynthia Lorriman of Station Road, Delamere.

She said: "It really pulls your heart strings. It's an absolute pleasure, so restful and peaceful.

"I've seen classical music players in Chester but I've never seen them in Northwich before."

ecummins@guardiangrp.co.uk