YOUNGSTERS could be ditching their Britney Spears and Sugababes CDs for violins and cellos after they were introduced to the wonders of classical music in Yarmouth on Friday.

YOUNGSTERS could be ditching their Britney Spears and Sugababes CDs for violins and cellos after they were introduced to the wonders of classical music in Yarmouth on Friday.

More than 850 children from the region were entranced as they listened to the delightful sounds of the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Hippodrome.

The MusicQuest event had been organised to given children the rare chance to sample classical music and encourage them to play musical instruments.

As well as watching the 25 professional musicians perform popular tunes, the children took part in music workshops with the orchestra.

And to give the youngsters an added impetus in taking up music, Clare Jones, the official harpist to the Prince of Wales, was also on hand to offer advice.

Friday's orchestral youth project is one of five regional MusicQuest events involving 5,000 children, aged seven to 11, organised by the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.

Hippodrome owner Peter Jay said: “It is great to involve such a large number of kids in such a fantastic scheme that can inspire them to go onto great things.

“Learning to play an instrument is one of the most enriching things a person can do in their life.”

Rick Wills, chairman of the Prince's Foundation, said: “Classical music is surrounded with such a mystique that it can be hard for young people to find out what to enjoy.

“MusicQuest is designed to change all this and to bring classical music to life for a new generation.”