A RARE violin which is loaned to only a handful of orchestras around the world is to make a special appearance in Pendle.

The 1709 Stradivarius has been loaned to the Manchester Camerata for their leader, Giovanni Guzzo, to play at Colne Muni later this month.

It has been loaned by by philanthropist Jonathan Moulds, president of Bank of America’s European business, who hails from Halifax.

Mr Moulds said: “I hope my investment in Manchester Camerata at this critical time will shine a spotlight on this outstanding orchestra.

I continue to support those institutions which I believe not only have leadership and talent of exceptional calibre, but also wish to engage more broadly with the local communities.

“I believe the Camerata is a very good example of this.”

The Camerata’s series in Colne has been under threat twice in recent years be- cause of funding cuts at Pendle Leisure Trust.

But it will continue for 2012 and the first concert takes place on Sunday, October 14 at 2.30pm.

Bob Riley, Camerata’s chief executive, said: “If a child coming to our concerts in Colne has an opportunity to see and experience music and in particular the sound of one of the highest-quality violins in the world, then we hope that this eye and ear-opening experience will inspire them to make music themselves.”

The Stradivarius was made in 1709 during the violin maker’s ‘golden period’.

It was during this period that Stradivarius produced many of the most outstanding and priceless instruments which exist today.