Bright-coloured, plastic trombones have been helping inspire students to start taking up brass music instruments.

That is the view of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Music Education Hub, which has been organising classes for students to try out pBones.

pBones, in a rainbow of colours, have been in classrooms in the county, including at The Brunts Academy, Mansfield.

Mr David Cooke, director of learning for creative and performing arts at Brunts, said: “Our pupils have taken to these instruments.

“Since September, around 100 children at Key Stage Three have been taking part in whole-class learning sessions to learn about music and how to play a trombone.

“They like the fact that although they come in different colours and are made of plastic, they are durable, lightweight, and sound like the real thing. Having one each seems to be a very positive experience for them.”

The initiative has been made possible by council colleagues, including Mr Mike Thornton at the hub.

Coun Liz Plant, committee vice-chairman for children and young people’s services at the council, said: “It is a great initiative to try to encourage more young people to get interested in music. Brass instruments can require quite a lot of maintenance if they get dented or damaged, so the plastic trombones are easier to carry and to play.

“If it can interest more young people to take part in music opportunities in schools, so that they get the benefits of learning a new instrument and skill in the long term, that would be a great result from this initiative.”

For details about the hub, go to www.nottsmusichub.org.uk/site