A GROUNDBREAKING scheme is being launched to nurture the musical talent of children living on a Winchester council estate.

Budding DJs and musicians in Winnall will be encouraged to develop their skills from scratch in the unique new venture.

Organisers of the Winnall Rock Project dreamed up the idea after despairing over the lack of popular music facilities for teenagers in the area.

They are now applying for a £20,000 grant and hope to roll the project out across the city if the scheme proves a success.

Chris Pines, deputy head teacher at Winnall Primary School and a city councillor, is chairing the project.

"There will be various instruments and decks for young people to come and see what they would like to have a go at," he said.

"As far as I know there is nothing like this in the Winchester area and a lot of the youngsters who know about it already all want a go."

A pilot project involving a series of taster sessions for 11- to 18-year-olds will start in January and will then branch out across the city if it proves to be a winner.

Winchester City Council has donated £1,000 to fund the initial scheme and organisers have applied to the National Federation for Youth Music for a further £20,000 to make it a permanent venture.

The cash is needed to buy instruments, employ part-time tutors and fund the running costs involved in the project.

Organisers now want to hear from any young people or Winnall residents that would like to join the Rock Project's committee.

For details contact Colleen Macfarlane on 01962 870854.