A PIANO teacher is hoping to help disabled people as she branches out in her business.

Having achieved a 100 per cent exam pass rate since starting her business, 23-year-old music teacher Jennie Nicholson, of Witton Gilbert, hopes to repeat the success with disabled people.

Since graduating from the London College of Music, Mrs Nicholson has been holding workshops for the disabled and elderly.

She visits nursing homes and leads sessions with young disabled people to increase their confidence and develop their skills.

She said: "It is all very rewarding and I intend to further develop this aspect of my work.

"I now have the space to hold individual sessions at my home and these would be run using a music therapy style of approach.

"This would particularly benefit younger disabled people."

Mrs Nicholson has twice the number of pupils she expected when she set up as a teacher 12 months ago, with the help of a £1,000 Northern Arts grant and a £1,550 loan from The Prince's Trust.

Her 100 per cent exam pass rate includes 17 passes with honours and five with merits.