THE Stretton Stompers music ensemble has begun its autumn season of rehearsals with a record number of young musicians attending.

More than 50 musicians of all ages and abilities gather at St Lawrence CE Primary School, Church Stretton, every Wednesday to rehearse an entertaining repertoire of music.

They included Greg Hearle, aged 18, a clarinettist, and Joshua Richards, five, a percussionist. Greg, a founder member of the ensemble, has been studying clarinet with Alan Atkin at Shropshire Music Ser vice for nine years. He won Shropshire Young Musician of the Year in April.

Joshua is a Year 1 pupil at Christ Church CE School Cressage. He has been having percussion lessons for a year and is Shropshire Music Service’s youngest ensemble member.

“Stretton Stompers is a unique ensemble which invites all comers to play together,” said Mr Atkin, its leader and the music service manager.

In December, the ensemble will perform a Christmas concert at Shrewsbury Abbey.