HATHERLEIGH Community Primary School has been given £1,000 to fund its Spring Concert 2016 by Waitrose.

The event features school pupils, community musicians and a local choir. The money has been donated through the John Lewis Partnership Music Matters Scheme, which invites branches to nominate a local musical activity for a significant one off contribution.

The Waitrose and John Lewis shops receive applications from groups which perform any type of music, from choirs and orchestras to bands and ensembles. The purpose of this initiative is to support the projects in which music is used to bring communities together.

The donation means that even more children will be given the opportunity to take part in the concert.

Waitrose Okehampton branch manager Laura Grant said: 'The Spring Concert is an event for all of the community to enjoy so it is great that we are able to support it through our Music Matters scheme. I am sure the event will be a great success, with the proceeds going towards a really worthwhile cause.'

Caroline Boother, headteacher, thanked Waitrose on behalf of all the staff and children of Hatherleigh Community Primary School.

She said: 'This is a wonderful opportunity to expand upon the musical opportunities that the children already have. We are very keen to introduce them to different types of music making and hopefully encourage them to develop a life-long interest in music.

'There is a huge amount of talent and enthusiasm in the local community and it will be very exciting to draw some of that together in a spring celebration.'