ORGAN restorers are being offered the chance to pull out all the stops and save a piece of history.

St Teresa’s Hospice Superstore, St T’s, has been donated a rare harmonium from the 1800s.

The musical instrument uses bellows which are pumped by the musician’s feet to offer an organ-like blast from the past.

Donated by North-East architect John Niven, the French oak instrument had been in a West Auckland church.

Made in Paris by celebrated manufacturer H Christophe and Etienne, pristine examples have been known to reach several thousand pounds at auction.

St Teresa’s Hospice eBay specialist, Peter Bradshaw, said: “Any restorer would simply love this instrument as a project. It comes with a variety of spares and being mechanical would be able to be restored to working order.

“The harmonium makes a breathier sound than a conventional organ and is certainly worth restoring. We're currently taking advice from local auction houses on its value in its current condition.”

For more information, call St T’s on 01325-353606 or visit the superstore on McMullen Road, Darlington.