Musicians will entertain sick children in hospitals throughout the south east following the success of a pilot project in Oxford.

The Orchestra of St John's has been visiting wards at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, and Helen House Hospice, in Leopold Street, for nearly six months.

Young patients are able to try out the instruments and listen to music during the sessions, which hospital staff claim have therapeutic value and give them a break from their treatment.

The musical project is now being extended to 12 hospitals across the South East.

Three or four professional musicians visit the JR every month for an hour, and their audience includes mothers with their babies, as well as teenagers.

The SoundStories sessions usually have a theme and include story telling. JR play specialist Christine Turner said: "The children enjoy it and like playing with the instruments. It's a break in their day, and something different. Music is very therapeutic for them and it's something that they can respond to."

The project has now been extended for three years to children's wards at other hospitals.

Orchestra chief executive Nicky Goulder said: "Following the overwhelming success of our work with young patients in Oxford last year, we're thrilled to be able to expand these visits in our 35th anniversary year.

"SoundStories will enable many more young hospital and hospice patients and their families to take part in creative music activities with our musicians, and experience the joy, stimulation and fun of live music in their own environment."

The orchestra was founded in 1967.

As well as playing in concert halls, it also performs in small community settings.