Dozens of children from low-income families are set to benefit from subsidised music lessons following a grant from a major label.

Universal Music Group, based at King's Cross, has provided £20,000, which will enabled Camden Council to provide lessons to up to 70 children.

Camden Council's Music Service currently offers half-price music lessons to all primary school pupils who are eligible for free school meals. The service is extending this offer to some families who receive housing benefit or council tax support.

Universal is one of the "big three" record companies and has acts such as Drake, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and U2 on its roster.

Cllr Marcus Boyland, cabinet member for best start for children and families, said: "Music and the arts not only inspire creativity across all areas of school life but can also improve young people's mental health and wellbeing. As an old Camden musician myself, I know the value in learning an instrument and playing live. The sense of achievement you get, the friends you make and the joy you bring stay with you all your life it is brilliant.

"That's why we want to support families as much as we can to ensure all our children and young people can have access to music education in Camden, regardless of their background. In Camden, we offer subsidised music lessons for all primary school pupils who are eligible for free school meals - and, thanks to the grant from Universal Music, we will be able to extend this offer for some primary school children whose families receive housing benefit or council tax support. We are hoping to extend this offer even further to ensure every child can access music and are looking into ways to do this."

A Universal Music Group spokesperson said: "As supporters of Camden Music Service ever since our move to King's Cross, we're pleased to be able to assist them in offering subsidised music lessons to some of the many talented young musicians across our local borough."

Camden's Music Service and Camden Learning, with support from Camden Music Trust, will be hosting the Camden Schools' Music Festival next April at the Royal Albert Hall. It is the borough's first large-scale in-person schools' music event since the pandemic and will bring pupils from each school in the borough together to sing in a massed choir. For the first time it will be live streamed.

Eligible families should apply for music lessons at camden.gov.uk/instrument-and-voice-lessons-in-schools or visit camden.gov.uk/camdens-music-service