MUSICIANS pledged to “remain vigilant” yesterday after a Scottish council called off plans to axe music tuition.

Labour-led Midlothian was set to become the first Scottish council to limit instrumental lessons to those studying music at National Five or Higher level.

But after hundreds of kids turned up at the council’s budget meeting on Tuesday with their instruments, council leader Derek Milligan announced the proposed cut had been shelved.

“We have heard loud and clear from youngsters the value they place on this,” Mr Milligan said.

Midlothian is one of several Scottish councils which has recently introduced charges for music lessons, having previously offered them for free.

At the meeting, Scottish National Party councillor Kelly Parry noted there had been a 32 per cent drop in uptake of instrumental lessons since the £205.50 fee was introduced.

The Musicians’ Union, which had backed the tuneful demo, told the Star that the U-turn was “very welcome news” for instrumental teachers and students alike.

“We hope this will set the tone for local authority decisions involving the expressive arts going forward,” the union’s Scotland official Caroline Sewell said. “But of course we remain vigilant and must continue to apply pressure and engage in dialogue with the Scottish government, and continue to press the strong case for retaining free instrumental music provision in schools.”

The news was also welcomed by Scottish teachers’ union EIS, whose general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Other councils across Scotland would do well to take note of the massive opposition of parents, pupils and teachers in Midlothian.

“Similar proposals from other local authorities will meet with the same response.”