YOUNGSTERS at a York primary school have been trumpeting the success of a new £100,000 scheme.

Children at Lakeside Primary School are the latest in the city to receive musical instruments as part of a national initiative to support participation in music.

Over £100,000 has been made available over the next three years to provide musical instruments to Key Stage 2 schools in York as part of the Government's £332 million commitment to support music in schools.

Every school in York with pupils at Key Stage 2 will be able to get involved in the programme by 2009.

In York, about 500 children are already involved and two Year 4 classes at Lakeside Primary School, Clifton Moor, have received 60 clarinets to help develop their musical skill.

Schools in York already have children playing trumpets, violins, cellos, glockenspiels and ukuleles.

Flutes, clarinets and guitars are new to the musical mix for 2008.

Learning to play a real instrument is a wonderful opportunity, which in the past has only been available to a few, for all children to discover music.

City of York Council's executive member for children's services, Coun Carol Runciman, said it is extremely important for children to try and learn an instrument at school and it is an area that has suffered from underfunding in the past.

Lakeside teacher Jeanette Hill said the clarinets are being put to good use by the two Year 4 classes, each with 30 pupils, who all have their own clarinet now.

Mrs Hill said: "This is absolutely brilliant for the children. We get two ladies who come in once a week and teach the whole year group on the clarinet.

"They all love their instruments and even if they are ill they want to come into school on clarinet day - they are that keen.

"We are now trying to find more time for the children to get extra practice and possibly later in the year we might have a mini concert for the parents."

Coun Runciman said: "I really am pleased about this investment in music in our schools.

"I started off playing the recorder and at secondary school I was offered a clarinet and it started a life-long passion for music which led to playing in an orchestra.

"This is the kind of opportunity that is being extended to these children.

"Learning music really does encourage children to work together and teaches them lessons for life."