A man rebuilding a Westcliff church organ walked in to find Noel Edmonds sitting at the keyboard.

Shocked David Miller's next surprise at Trinity Methodist Church, Westcliff, was the Christmas gift the TV presenter was offering. This was the chance to play Europe's most powerful organ at Liverpool Cathedral.

The Westcliff encounter with Noel and subsequent Liverpool trip were featured on Noel's Christmas Presents on BBC 1 on Christmas Day.

Former minister of Trinity Methodist Church, the Rev Denzil Sutcliffe, secretly suggested Mr Miller for Noel's programme.

As arrangements began, Mr Miller understood he was to appear on television to talk about the hearing aid he wears.

He said: "I was conned completely. I thought I was going to be interviewed by Tomorrow's World, because I have been deaf all my life.

"Modern technology and the hearing aids I have mean that I am able keep up with my work building and tuning organs.

"I got information specially from Addenbrooke's Hospital about the technical details and rang up a choirmaster so I could talk all about tuning organs. It was such a plausible con."

The cat nearly got out of the bag when Mr Miller lost the contact number he had for the BBC and rang Tomorrow's World direct to check details. He was unsettled to find they knew nothing about the programme.

However, he said: "As I walked through the door of the church in Westcliff the organ was being played appallingly with big non-chords.

"I thought it was one of the technicians mucking about, but I didn't think it was in very good taste. When I saw Noel Edmonds sitting there, I said: 'What are you doing here?'"

Noel swiftly solved the mystery, and some days later, Mr Miller, of Orwell, Cambridge, was taken to Liverpool to play the cathedral organ. To his surprise, he was joined by his grand daughter, Samantha, 16, and was also able to play for the choir.

He paid tribute to the Liverpool welcome, the support of Noel and his crew, and most of all to Addenbrooke's for the skill in helping his hearing.

His organ rebuilding work is to be completed during 2000, and the new-look instrument will be unveiled at dedication ceremonies on May 6 and 7, at the church - 100 years old next year - in Argyll Road, Westcliff.

Already one-third of the organ is finished and was in use for Christmas services. Organist Ken Treverton, of Cotswold Road, Westcliff, told how members waited on tenterhooks for Mr Miller to arrive and find Noel Edmonds waiting for him at the organ console.

He said: "We were all hidden away in the kitchen round the back of the church."

Shock - organ repairer David Miller chats to TV's Noel Edmonds

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