Lone church organist David Glover no longer feels guilty when he misses church on Sundays - because he's created a computer programme which plays the tunes when he's away.

Colchester keyboard wizard Mr Glover, 44, left his systems job at Royal London Insurance a year ago.

A year later and the organist, who plays at the Church of New Jerusalem, in Maldon Road, has signed a deal with a Suffolk pipe organ firm which will see his invention shown off at an American convention.

His brainchild, called Organ Assist, allows an organist to record a piece of music on one instrument and play it back on a completely different one.

But it does not just record the music, it actually plays it on another organ - using exactly the same musical "phrasings" and volumes as when played by the copied organist.

This means when an organist goes on holiday an entire service can be played at church at the touch of the button.

This was once branded "impossible" by technical engineers because different organ makers use incompatible systems.

Mr Glover, who has been church organist at the Maldon Road church for more than 25 years, said: "I used to feel guilty when I went away and so my main market has been the lone church organist.

"Hopefully Organ Assist will help the many churches who find it difficult to have an organist present every Sunday, and will allow organists to go on holiday with a clear conscience."

"You can also have church organisations sharing music and also promises a lot for music teaching."

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