THE soothing sounds of Mozart are being used to introduce an infant audience to the wonders of classical music.

Babies are being given an early dose of culture through a series of concerts being promoted by Lancashire Sinfonietta.

Bosses at the award-winning orchestra are embarking on a recitals programme across Lancashire after discovering how tots reacted to the strains of Mozart and fellow composers like Vivaldi.

The inspiration for the new programme happened almost by accident, when the Sinfonietta was engaged on a series of lunchtime dates in the North West.

Orchestra manager Fiona Sinclair said: "It was really noticeable how many mothers with young babies were attending.

"And it was interesting for me to see what effect the music was having on the babies. They were really attentive during particular pieces of music and that gave us an idea."

Coincidentally a number of musicians within the Sinfonietta had become parents around the same time so Fiona and her colleagues began a series of musical experiments.

"Some instruments went down very well like violins - but they didn't like the woodwind instruments like flutes and clarinets," she said.

Pieces by Mozart, himself a childhood genius, registered the highest appreciation levels among the young audience, according to Fiona.

"We will have all kinds of music planned from nursery rhymes and traditional tunes to Mozart as part of the concerts.

"Hopefully they will encourage parents and carers to learn about how music can help a child's development, nurture a closer relationship and even tackle under-achievement in later years."

Alexandra Stemp, 31, from Bacup, a violinist with the Sinfonietta, said: "It is interesting to see the effect the music has, even if it is sending them off to sleep."

The first concert takes place at Barden Lane Nursery on November 5, with another the following day at Great Harwood Children's Centre.

Another is scheduled for December 10 at the Ribblesdale Nursery near Clitheroe and the fourth is at Padiham Whitegate Children's Centre on December 17.

There will be recitals at 10 and 11am each day.