More than 150 musicians inspired to play by their school teacher performed a concert in tribute to her career.

Heather Cowl, head of music at Dorothy Stringer School, Brighton, is due to retire next month.

During her 26 years at the school she has taught thousands of pupils, many of whom have gone on to professional music careers.

Her prodigies have included classical guitarist Richard Durrant and Johnny Sevinck, who plays the violin in pop band The Levellers.

Many have stayed in touch and this week, more than 150 past and present students took part in a performance called Thank You For The Music at the Clarendon Centre in Brighton.

Miss Cowl said: "It was incredibly moving. Originally, they tried to keep the concert a secret from me and when I did find out, I didn't think the school would be able to get all the pupils back together, or that many people would attend.

"In the end, the hall was very full. There were even a few pupils who I had taught before joining Dorothy Stringer."

Miss Cowl trained at the Royal Academy of Music before becoming a music teacher. She is also a qualified conductor.

She taught briefly at schools in Moulsecoomb and Patcham before joining Dorothy Stringer, in Loder Road.

Miss Cowl said: "I only planned to stay for one year but I got involved with the pupils and wanted to see how they got on.

"It can be a difficult job but it is very rewarding, particularly when you find a child who has talent but doesn't realise it.

"A lot of the pupils have stayed in touch and have offered to come in to school to perform and to help. I think this is because there has been mutual respect between us."

Miss Cowl will continue to teach part-time at Dorothy Stringer for one more year and also has links with the Crescent Operatic Society.

She said: "I love to conduct, both orchestras and choirs. I love creating music with a big group. It is very fulfilling.

"It is the pupils I will miss most when I retire - the enthusiasm of young people, the way you can see it in their faces when they are giving their all."