Arts lovers in Ongar this week sounded a fanfare to celebrate the reprieve of the town's threatened music school.

It was a triumphant finale to a vigorous campaign by the This Is Essex to save the establishment - which faced closure because of cash cuts.

Now a new deal involving Essex County Council and Epping Forest Youth Arts Partnership ensures its survival for the forseeable future.

From April, the district council will take over responsibility for Ongar and the three other music schools in the area.

Professional musician and lecturer Chris Burn, who is head teacher in Ongar, told This Is Essex: "This is great news. We have been living under a shadow for far too long.''

And he added: "This school is like a cat with nine lives. Three years ago we thought we were for the chop, but the parish council stepped in to save us.

"However, our existence has been precarious ever since and many people are surprised that we're still here."

Last autumn Mr Burn sent an angry letter to county heritage and culture committee chairman Chris Manning-Press, condemning the uncertainty over the school.

He wrote: "We've received blow after blow. The whole community of teachers, parents and pupils is disenchanted. We need nurture and support, not another kick in the teeth."

But this week Mr Burn said: "Although it's been very bad for morale, all the teachers stayed with us and now we can build for a brighter future."

The school has just under 50 pupils from beginner to advanced level. They are charged £100 a term.

It operates at the campus site in Ongar, but negotiations are under way for a move to the new arts and education centre on the Great Stony School site.

Last week Epping Forest leisure services committee backed moves to clinch a deal with the county council over youth arts.

Councillors were told that continued county funding would sustain existing projects in the district, including the music schools.

Assistant leisure services head Gillian Clark said after the meeting: "We're absolutely delighted. The council is committed to ensuring the provision of a range of youth arts and this will obviously help us to do that."

Music to their ears: Head teacher Chris Burn sounds the celebration tune, with pupils Dominique Miranda, 12, and Mathew Lewis, 10.

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