A PROFESSIONAL musician has launched a new project to teach adults with learning disabilities to sing and play musical instruments which could hopefully see them perform on stage at the London Palladium.

Adults with learning disabilities are invited to go along to Local Mencap Barnsley at Priory Campus on Tuesdays and join in the sessions with Simon Grainger, who was once signed to the Ministry of Sound record label and had a top 40 hit with the band Electric Boutique.

"We want to develop music skills among adults with learning disabilities because in my experience there isn't a tonne of it going on out there," said Simon, who lives in Wakefield.

"It's a new project exclusive to Local Mencap Barnsley, but it is inspired by the work of David Stanley in the south of England." David stages an annual performance at the London Palladium, and Simon has already been asked to take a contingent of performers from Barnsley if the new project goes as well as he hopes.

"I'd hate that to put anyone off though," said Simon. "There will be opportunities for people to perform if they want to, but there will never be any pressure on anyone to perform or do anything they don't want to or they're not ready for."  

The sessions take place on Tuesdays from 1 to 4pm at Local Mencap Barnsley, Priory Campus. Anyone with a learning disability is welcome to go along, or for information call Mike on 779919.