A THANKSGIVING service for the life of music teacher Michael Oliver is to be held in Devizes on January 20.

Mr Oliver of Avon Road, Devizes died in hospital on December 20 aged 76.

The service at St John's Church at 1pm will follow a private cremation earlier in the day. A wake will then be held at Devizes Sports Club where Mr Oliver was a stalwart of the tennis club.

Mr Oliver was director of Devizes Junior Eisteddfod for 25 years. He also set up and ran the Devizes Primary Schools Music Summer School for 30 years and was musical director of Devizes Light Operatic Society for 15 years. In 2011 he retired from teaching the string orchestra at Wiltshire College in Devizes after 50 years.

Last week Devizes Mayor Jane Burton, who knew him from their time at Devizes Grammar School, described him as an inspiration to young musicians. She said: "He was a fountain of knowledge and had the ability to bring out the best in them.

"He was a calm understanding and unassuming man who will be missed by so many."