A WORCESTER orchestra is to play its final note after 57 years of being conducted by the woman who started the group.

The Salon Arts Orchestra was founded in 1950 by Bridget Monahan and, for the majority of the time, members rehearsed in converted stables at the back of her house in Albany Terrace, Worcester.

In 2004 the main house and stables were sold, but Miss Monahan made it a condition of the sale that she would continue to live in the flat until her death and the stable could still be used for rehearsals.

Miss Monahan, now 97, has moved into a nursing home following a fall before Christmas.

It means at the end of February the orchestra will no longer have a venue to meet or a conductor to drive it on.

Flutist Edwina Tyler said: "Some of us would like to continue, but some feel that without Bridget we do not want to. It takes time to source music and sort it out if you are working you have not got enough time to do it." Miss Monahan continued to conduct the orchestra until December last year.

Ken Ashman, committee secretary said: "The only concession she made for her age was to sit down and conduct. Despite her deafness she still had the talent to pick up a wrong note." At its height there were 104 members in the full symphony orchestra, now there are just nine.

As well as playing, the orchestra raised money for charities, and donated a dressing room, grand piano, a seat and some fencing to Worcester's Swan Theatre.Members also raised funds for the Oxford Mission in Bangladesh and the Musicians Benevolent Fund.

"There is extreme sadness the orchestra is winding up, but also thankfulness for the wonderful pleasure and satisfaction Bridget has given us all over the years," said Mr Ashman.

The members are holding an extraordinary general meeting followed by a brief final concert and last supper in Miss Monahan's honour on Saturday, February 16, at The Stables.