HARWICH’S very own school of rock has been given £5,000 to improve its facilities.

The Rock School Club, based in Main Road, Harwich, hopes to put the cash towards completing a new rehearsal room and setting up a recording studio. A grant of £3,500 was presented to the club by Tendring councillor Ricky Callender from the council’s small schemes budget, with a further a £1,500 coming from Harwich Town Council.

Chris Scott, who set up the club, said: “We started Rock School in April at the Ramsey Memorial Hall with some gear we borrowed or bought on Ebay and were amazed at the interest. Our idea was to get local rock musicians to teach youngsters to have fun playing rock music. “Within four weeks, we had submitted a request to the lottery fund and two weeks later, got £5,280 for equipment.”

The school is now attracting about 30 youngsters a time who are keen to learn guitars, drums and singing.

The club is now rehearsing for a Halloween concert on October 28, at the Electric Palace, Harwich.

Mr Scott added: “We are now raising funds to build a recording studio in the building, so we can put out the youngsters’ performances on the internet.”

For more information Chris Scott on 01255 886814 or go to www.rock-school.org.uk