A FORMER pupil and leading figure in the arts world revisited the Downs School in Colwall for the first time in more than 50 years to open its new music facilities.

Lord Michael Birkett cut the ribbon at the £15,000 music technology centre and recording studio at a special event on Wednesday.

He watched pupils record the first track in the studio and recalled playing Hamlet in 1942, his last year at the school.

School members and Colwall residents had a look around the new facilities and watched as 80 black balloons, representing musical notes, were released.

Headteacher Alastair Ramsay said the opening was a "huge success." Lord Birkett is a former Ealing and Pinewood studios director, who has chaired the Arts Council and the Brit Academy, where singing star Katie Melua studied.

The new music facilities were paid for through school fundraising and collections made at the school's community concerts.

Colwall residents interested in using the recording studio should contact the school on 01684 540277.