A new grand piano will be keeping music alive at a Worcestershire school thanks to a generous donation from a former headteacher's widow.

The grand piano was unveiled to parents, students and staff at a recent sixth form music soiree at Hanley Castle High School.

It replaced the school's ageing grand piano and was made possible thanks in part to a substantial donation from the widow of Alan Johnston, who was headteacher at Hanley Castle for 13 years between 1991 and 2004.

His widow Daphne chose to support the school in this way after his death last November because he was a talented musician who had helped ensure the quality of music at the school reached new heights.

Mrs Johnston was keen to ensure that his musical legacy continued at the school.

Further donations were received from The Friends of Hanley Castle High School, Hanley Voices, Friends of Upton Jazz Festival and a grant from the EMI Foundation.

Pianists Richard Waters, 16, Ed Place, 16, and Farah Spiers, 17, were the first to perform on the Kawai GX2 piano which was supplied by Vale Pianos in Pershore.

Lindsey Cooke, headteacher, said: “This is such a beautiful piano and it is fantastic to hear our many talented pianists using an instrument of this quality."

James Felton, head of music, said: “I am a violinist but a piano like this makes even me want to practice.

"We are all so grateful to Daphne Johnston for her generosity and will make sure that Alan Johnston’s memory lives on through this piano and the music played on it."