A treasured accompanist was celebrated for decades of service to music at a lunch.

Muriel Hart, 90, was recognised for spending 70 years as an accompanist with the Brighton Orpheus Choir on Saturday.

Muriel, from Brighton, who was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2005, dined with nearly 80 guests at the Seattle Hotel in Brighton Marina.

Her career includes spending 20 years a music specialist at Patcham Junior School, a music adviser for primary schools and as a trainer of orchestras which fed into Brighton Youth Orchestra.

She has also been a member of the Sussex Musicians Club for 72 years and is director of Golden Age Singers in Lewes and the Third Age Sing for Pleasure groups in the area.

Annette Bell, chairman of Brighton Orpheus Choir, said: “Muriel’s selfless dedication to the development of other singers and instrum-entalists demonstrates her great commitment to music.”