WINCHESTER Cathedral grounds were filled with the melodic trills of Bach, Beethoven and even the Champs when schoolchildren held a busking fundraiser.

Pilgrims' boys gathered in the inner and outer close to raise as much money as possible for Red Nose Day drawing in the crowds.

Talented musicians from the school plucked their cellos and touted their flutes, joined by the bustling noise of school mates jingling their buckets all in an effort to as much cash as possible.

Russell duPlessis, director of music, said: “There’s just so much music at the school that it made sense to do something like this and it’s also lovely for the boys to use their talents.

“The pure insanity of doing something like this was in keeping with the spirit of the day to get out and entertain people!

“It’s the first time we have tried to do something like this so let’s see if it becomes a tradition.”

White and Company moved the school’s grand piano to the west end, offering their services for free.

Freddie Krone, 12, who played the drumming box, said: “It’s a good cause. The big band has been split into small sections to raise as much money as we can for Red Nose Day.

“There are children less fortunately than us and it’s also about having fun.”

Chris Myers, 13, who has played the piano, violin and viola since the age of two, said: “We’ve done it to show what the school can do but also to inspire others by using our talents to help other people.”