AFRICAN instruments proved to be a big hit when they were played by a group of music- loving schoolchildren.

Youngsters from Chawson First School, Droitwich, were given the djemba drums after fund-raising efforts by the school's parent teacher group - the Chawson First School Association.

Headteacher Gerry Hughes said: "The money has been raised by the PTA with a number of events and the recent Christmas fair. The money meant we could buy presents for the children at Christmas and also get these instruments in.

"Staff will now have drumming workshops before passing on their skills to the pupils once they have mastered playing them. This is about developing other skills as well as playing the drums. The children will be learning to play together to keep the beat."