A HOSPITAL worker with a passion for percussion has taken ownership of a rare new hang drum.

Chris Baron, 36, became the first person in the world to receive a diploma in therapeutic drumming in July.

The father-of-two was invited to Switzerland to collect the £700 instrument and wowed members of his weekly community drumming circle in Southend with its distinctive sound.

There are only 20 registered players of the hang drum in the UK. Mr Baron, of Station Road, Leigh, plans to use his new drum during therapy sessions with patients at Runwell Hospital, in Wickford, where he works as a senior forensic occupational therapy technician.

He said: "It's similar to a steel drum and can be played with the palms or fingers. It has a very distinctive sound and really gets under the skin and into the blood.

"It's almost a cross between a bell, gong and harp. People were mesmerised. I'll be using it for my therapy sessions and future performances."