THE pipe organ at a North-East college has been brought back to life after more than a decade.

The instrument at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, was used once again as student Emily Simpson played John Stanley's Trumpet Voluntary at a recital concert.

Emily only started to learn to play the organ last month and, as well as practising at the college, has lessons on the organs in Great Smeaton Church and Northallerton Methodist Church, both in North Yorkshire.

"It's just amazing to play such an instrument. The grandeur of it and the sounds are fantastic. Eventually, I'd love to be able to play in a cathedral," she said.

Emily, from Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, is a second year student at the college, studying A-levels in business, English, biology and general studies.

Ken Smith, head of music at the college, said: "I'm pleased the organ is being regularly played. We've had guest organists at Christmas, but it's a long time since we've had one of our own students playing."

The organ was presented to the then Queen Elizabeth Boys' Grammar School by WT Anderson in 1928.