Just a few month ago they were being drummed out of college music lessons. But now music students who feared their leisure learning was being faded out forever have launched the first courses at their new Blackpool Music Academy.

The Citizen revealed in September how students who enjoyed piano and keyboard lessons at Blackpool and Fylde College were determined to press on despite the closure of their course.

Now, thanks to £5,000 of funding from the Blackpool Community Chest, lessons are to resume at Springfield Methodist Church in Bispham. Jim Lomas - the original tutor from the college course, along with another experienced tutor, Stephen Austin, will be teaching the students.

A registration day on Monday saw 44 people sign up for the first courses, which feature three classes, from beginners to intermediates."

Founder and chairman of the academy, John Shaw, a former student on the course, said: "My aim is to give free tuition to all if possible but I also would like to start a younger generation class with a subsidised fee. We would also be looking at expanding the academy into other instruments when we can.

"I don't see anything like this happening anywhere else at the moment. I would eventually like to see this idea go beyond Blackpool and in to other areas of the Fylde Coast."

Members decided to set up the academy after piano and keyboard tutor, Mr Lomas, stood down from his course at Blackpool and Fylde College over 'red tape.' The course closed following his departure in Autumn 2004.

The new Blackpool Music Academy's first beginners' classes in the keyboard and home organ start on January 17 at 1pm.

For more details on the academy visit www.blackpoolmusicacademy.com, which also features an online shop offering music equipment, or contact John Shaw on 01253 318995.