VIRTUOSO cellist Julian Lloyd Webber was the special guest at a performance of young musicians at the Philharmonic Hall.

He was joined by the West Everton Children’s Orchestra in a concert marking the end of the first phase of the In Harmony Programme.

It is 12 weeks since Faith Primary School took delivery of 92 free instruments under the government project.

Programme leader Lloyd Webber, who joined the young orchestra and members of the RLPO for a finale of Hey Jude, said: “All of us at the Philharmonic have witnessed the start of something that could be very, very special.

“Of any city in England. Liverpool knows the power of music.

“It’s a great project and these children have exceptional talent.”

A £3m programme funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, In Harmony aims to provide opportunities for children to grow socially through the appreciation of music.

Children as young as four-years-old are being taught to play musical instruments before being brought into full-scale orchestras and encouraged to perform in front of a live audience.

Diana Johnson, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for schools, also attended yesterday’s event along with local dignitaries.

She praised the children’s efforts to form an orchestra in just three months.