CHIPPENHAM MP Duncan Hames is one of thousands of people who have signed an on-line petition calling for Wiltshire Music Service to be saved.

Wiltshire Council is still consulting with music teachers and administration staff who are under threat of redundancy but last week voted to abolish the service which helps to provide music teachers for schools and orchestras.

It is planning to get rid of ten administration posts and make 76 teachers redundant. The council says this will save £247,000 in a full year.

But now people upset by the proposal have started a petition and so far it has gained 3,447 names including Mr Hames.

He said: "This integrated service offers more variety in instruments and musical genres than would be possible, especially for small schools, if numerous peripatetic music teachers had to be found individually. A more fragmented system will result in more work for schools and less choice for pupils.

"Wiltshire Council need to reconsider their decision before it’s too late.”

A spokesperson for the Save Wiltshire Music petition said: "We simply can’t let Wiltshire County Council cut music education.

“Well-qualified music teachers are set to lose their jobs and the children of Wiltshire will be on the receiving end of the cuts, this can't be allowed to happen."

To sign the petition go to https://www.change.org/p/wiltshire-county-council-reconsider-their-decision-to-withdraw-funding-to-the-wiltshire-music-service.

Laura Mayes, the Wiltshire council cabinet member in charge of children's services, said: "ie have to make savings. "