THE organisers of Guitars on the Beach are on the lookout for a violin in order for a former school orchestra leader to take part in this year's event.

Lyme-born Dave Hercock, who has lived in New Jersey for 35 years, has extended a visit to his home town so he can take part in this year's event on September 3. The former Woodroffe School orchestra leader unfortunately set off on his trip without packing his violin.

Mr Hercock, who played violin in the National Youth Orchestra as a young man and studied at the London College of Music, has been asked by organisers to join in with a play-a-long to Buddy Holly's That'll Be The Day and Rave On - as the event attempts to become Britain's biggest band.

The event will be raising money for Cancer Research UK.

The 59-year-old, who has been a musician all of his life can’t play the guitar, only the violin.

Geoff Baker, Guitars On The Beach organiser, said: “We are desperate to borrow a violin so that Herky can have a fiddle on the beach.

“We don’t want to borrow anybody’s prized or valuable instrument, just a cheap one will do and Dave will only need to use it for six minutes, to play the two songs. He’s a top musician and music teacher, so he’ll look after it."

He added: “As he’s such a popular bloke in Lyme and he’s never been here to take part in Guitars On The Beach before, we feel it wouldn’t be right for him not to take part, so we are hoping that somebody will come forward with an old fiddle so that he can perform Dave On and That’ll Be The Dave.

“Usually it’s only people with guitars, ukuleles or banjos who take part but in Herky’s case we are making an exception and allowing a violin because he’s been such a lifelong friend to so many of us organisers.”

Anyone with a spare violin should contact Mr Baker on 07864 992 274 or at geoffbaker12@btinternet.com