An Abingdon music group has thrown off the shackles of the Old Gaol and moved across the road -- but is still unable to escape the clutches of the law.

After 27 years at the Old Gaol leisure centre in Bridge Street, the Abingdon Music Centre has moved headquarters.

The site closes at the end of next month when the new leisure and tennis centre opens in Audlett Drive. But the centre has moved only a short distance away, to the Old Magistrates' Court.

The court is a historic building with oak panelling, a magistrates' robing room, and what were once holding cells for those awaiting trial.

Since the court was shut in Abingdon about five years ago, the premises were let to a commercial company.

However, its occupation was short-lived and the site was later used to house a few district council staff and for storage.

Isobel Birse, a co-director at the centre, said: " We have worked very hard to get it into a state suitable for our purposes and enable us to use every corner of the building while respecting its heritage.

"We are breathing new life into this historic building."

The Abingdon Music Centre has 10 teachers and three administrative staff.

It provides daytime music classes for babies and pre-school children with their parents or carers, and classes for primary age children after school.

There is a ladies' choir, a swing band, music theory classes, and classes for beginner and intermediate level guitar players.

More than 500 people use the centre, which also runs half-term and holiday music workshops for children, a Christmas holiday orchestra course and training sessions for adults providing children's music.

It is also a centre for Associated Board music exams.

Mrs Birse added: "We are a charity, so do not have many resources to cover the removal expenses and the higher running costs of our new home.

"We would welcome the opportunity to make known and show off the facilities, to encourage music and drama groups and instrumental teachers to hire the spaces for their activities."

The telephone numbers for the Abingdon Music Centre are 01235 533633 and 01865 736170.