Music scheme nets Sting's guitar

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Rock star Sting has donated one of his bass guitars to a programme aimed at giving more school children in London a chance to learn a musical instrument.

More than 150 instruments have been given to the 'No Strings Attached' scheme created by mayor Boris Johnson along with TimeOut magazine.

Unclaimed instruments left on Tube trains and buses in the city have also been passed to organisers.

Among them is a didgeridoo, an Aboriginal wooden pipe instrument.

Sting, the Grammy-award winning singer and former teacher, said: "Young people deserve the chance to learn a musical instrument, whatever background they come from.

"Well done to everyone who is helping the campaign."

The instruments will go to schools and young people in Lambeth, using the 'In Harmony' education scheme chaired by Julian Lloyd Webber, who has donated a cello.

"Music should be available to every child, not just to the privileged few whose parents can afford to buy instruments and pay for music lessons," Mr Lloyd Webber said.

The mayor, who pledged to help boost the number of young people studying music, said: "I'd like every kid in the capital to play an instrument and the prospect of learning on one owned by a superstar like Sting must be absolutely thrilling."