A piano that played hymns and golden oldies for generations of elderly people has begun a new life providing the backing for a school choir.

The 40-year-old baby grand piano was originally bought by Harrow Baptist Church’s coffee morning group and given to a sheltered housing scheme run by Harrow Churches Housing Association.

When its last home Paxfold House  was put up for redevelopment it was given to Norbury School, where it will ring out at school assemblies and concerts, and is already being used to rehearse Christmas carols.

The school’s music co-ordinator Natalie Noonan-Smith said: “I think it’s really special and adds to the musical education of the children. We had an electric keyboard before, but now with the baby grand piano children will learn the difference.”

Most choir members had not seen a baby grand piano before it arrived, but soon noticed the difference between wood, ebony and ivory and its plastic predecessor.

Myra, ten, said:  “It looks quite elegant.”

Cara, nine, added: “It sounds better!”

Jean Newby, an ex-teacher at Norbury school is now one of the Baptist church’s fundraisers. She said: “It’s lovely that this piano has been linked to so many community activities.”