NOT often you get to hear a blast from the Northumbrian pipes as you're tucking into your veggie moussaka. But vegetarian restaurant The Waiting Room, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, hosted a performance by folk three-piece Roll A Penny at the weekend.

As well as the bagpipes, the three band members showed us their skills on the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, piano, bouzouki and, of course, the plain old human voice.

The trio, who all hail from the North-East, are among the first batch of graduates from Newcastle University's newly-created degree in folk music - the only one of its kind in the country.

Roll A Penny are eclectic, taking in as many different musical styles as they have instruments, and despite the cosy setting, they don't flinch from showing us the full range of their considerable talents - moving effortlessly from Irish, Scottish and Northumbrian folk music to traditional deep south bluegrass and on to the blues.

Most of the singing is done by Katie Doherty, who has a fantastically pure and powerful voice - made all the more affecting when she's singing a cappella.

Andrew Cadie - the pipe-meister - is also a wizard on the fiddle and Roger Purves plays the mandolin and bouzouki with amazing poise and dexterity.

The band released an album of original material, called Bridges and Lady Midas, earlier this year and are set to tour Italy soon. Their tutors must be very proud.

Published: 26/07/2005