THE borough's young musical maestros have been raising the roof in Whitefield.

For a special open day staged by Whitefield-based Bury Music Centre gave parents, relatives and friends a gilt-edged chance to hear and see the cream of the district's young musicians in action.

The occasion on Saturday (March 30) meant that many visitors were able to tour the various groups and sessions to see the 250 young people performing their pieces.

And special guest, Bury mayor Councillor Bill Johnson is pictured trying his hand as a conductor during one of the musical sessions.

Bury Music Centre, located at Mersey Drive CP school, is one of the foremost in the region in terms of instrumental teaching and performance quality and has built up a formidable reputation during the past 30 years.

The centre, which is served by 25 full-time and part-time staff, undertakes the musical tuition of about 1,500 young musicians drawn from primary and secondary schools in Prestwich and Whitefield and the rest of the borough. They embrace a number of musical groups, ranging from brass bands and orchestras to jazz bands and classical ensembles. Music Centre director of studies, Mr Paul Jarvis, said: "During the open day, we had quite a number of parents who attended and they were shown around by some of the students who acted as hosts.

"Our Friends Association put on a large display of photographs of the Music Centre and its trips over the last few years and others sold various bits of merchandise and tickets for a forthcoming social evening."

He added: "Our big band played during the break and overall we were delighted with the event."

Commenting on the work of the Music Centre, Mr Jarvis went on: "We haven't got the same number of pupils as we've had in previous years.

"We are in need of pupils on various instruments as is happening all over the country.

"But we're still thriving and giving the youngsters the same opportunities to play within various groups."

The Music Centre's senior school band will visit Bury's twin town of Schorndorf in Germany for a week during the summer.