Dozens of unloved musical instruments have been restored to their former glory by a Llanidloes restorer for use by young musicians thanks to Powys County Council.
The council collected dozens of unused wind, brass string instruments from schools across the county as part of an instrument amnesty.
Working with a specialist restorer Matt Watson of Mouse Music, Llanidloes and using funding from the Powys County Council Music Development Scheme, the instruments were assessed and those worth saving were painstakingly restored.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Graham Brown said: “Once the instruments were restored to their former glory it was essential to get them back into use in areas where they would be valued and well looked after.
“We decided the best option was to give them to youth music organisations in Powys. These organisations are ideally placed to match the instruments with young people wishing to learn to play and perform and we are confident that they will be able to do so. In fact a number have already been distributed to young people.
“The initiative has already seen more than 30 instruments donated to the North Powys Youth Band and Montgomeryshire Youth Music and a further 30 will shortly be delivered to South Powys Youth Music.
“Instruments that not long ago were neglected and gathering dust in a school store are fully refurbished with all the necessary accessories such as cleaning brushes and valve oils. And I look forward to hearing some of them at a North Powys Youth Band concert at Abermule Community Centre on Friday (December 9),” he added.