More than 70 youngsters aged seven to 11 are learning to play the violin at the school.

To foster their enthusiasm, headteacher Tony Rist arranged the session with the accomplished Feltwell violinist.

He said: "Steve gave an amazing performance using his ordinary violin and an electronic violin. The children thought it was brilliant."

Music-making at the school was given a big boost last year when the music co-ordinator, Miss Susannah Mitchell, obtained a grant of about £500 from EMI towards buying 30 violins. The school's parent teacher group also made a contribution.

Mr Rist said it was a tremendous benefit that so many pupils had access to a violin and their interest had been fired by weekly lessons from peripatetic music teacher Mr Matthew Lee.

He said: "The violin probably would not be the first instrument of choice for many kids. It's because Matthew makes it such fun that they all enjoy playing it."

The school holds the Arts Council's Artsmark award and Mr Rist said: "We are very committed to arts in general."