SCHOOLCHILDREN and teachers had the chance to make music with a pop star when a former Status Quo drummer came to a Worcester school.

Jeff Rich thrilled 240 pupils at St Barnabas CE Primary School, Green Lane, when he took a drum master class for an hour-and-a-half.

"Half of the children and staff had percussion and half of the children and teachers clapped while he drummed, then we all swapped over," said headmistress Angela Deakin. "It was absolutely brilliant."

Rich, who left Status Quo a year ago to spend more time with his family, told the junior pupils, aged seven to 11, what is was like to be on Top of the Pops and gave them advice about using ear plugs while listening to loud music.

He also gave the youngsters a talk about the history of drums.

"He firstly used hollow wood and a piece of skin then moved on to a new model of drum, which came out two years ago," said Mrs Deakin.

"He showed the children how to play different drums and some of them even got to have a go on them. It was a super experience."