PRIMARY school children have been given musical instruments after an “amnesty” organised by a classical pianist.

Lincewood Primary School, in Langdon Hills, has received musical instruments donated by members of the public under a scheme organised by pianist James Rhodes.

Mr Rhodes asked people to donate unwanted musical instruments as part of the television show, Don’t Stop the Music Instrument Amnesty.

More than 6,500 instruments donated to 700 Oxfam stores across the country have been refurbished and redistributed to 170 primary schools across the country. St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, in Elsenham Crescent, Basildon, starred in the Channel 4 show, which was broadcast last September.

Mr Rhodes launched his mission at St Teresa’s last spring, and spent five weeks training 22 Year 5 pupils as a mini-orchestra.

He was shocked to discover the school had no budget to teach music.

St Teresa’s is now on the road to recovery, after being placed in special measures two years ago, because of concerns about inadequate teaching and poor leadership.