Wallingford School's Fun Band has a beefier rhythm section, thanks to the donation of an electric bass guitar.

It was a gift from Chris Johnstone, pictured entre, of Rowland Close, Wallingford, a former session musician who now works as a chiropractor.

The band previously made do with a bass keyboard, but keyboard player Nina Paddock, 16, now hopes to make the transition from ivories to strings.

Mr Johnstone, whose father was a pupil at Wallingford School, said: "I didn't think it was right for the school not to have a bass guitar, so I thought I'd buy them one."

Nick Hill, head of music at the school, said: "It's very generous and will be a boost for the Fun Band."

**Picture: George Reszeter