A ‘WARM and inspirational’ music teacher who taught hundreds of people to play the piano has died aged 77.

Lorna Clark, who counted Ian Townsend, the current musical director of Chicago in the West End, as one of her former students, died on October 23 of pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Osborne Terrace, Darwen, and began playing the piano aged four.

Her talent was quickly recognised and she performed three times on regional BBC television news programmes during the 1950s and 1960s.

She also performed many concerts in the Blackburn and Darwen area, including Grieg’s piano concerto and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at King George’s Hall.

As well as private piano tuition at her house, Lorna also taught music at both Darwen Grammar School and St Thomas Aquinas. Many of her pupils went on to make music their career both in the UK and abroad.

Mr Townsend, 39, said that Mrs Clark was ‘instrumental’ in his career, which includes being musical director for Chicago, Jerry Springer the Opera, Anything Goes and Merrily We Roll Along, as well as working on films such as Immortal Beloved and Legend of 1900.

He said: “I started lessons with Lorna once a week when I was five and found her to be a wonderful, warm and calm teacher.

“She wasn’t the battleaxe character that many people associate with women music teachers.

“She had a wicked sense of humour and I never felt like I was being taught. It felt like an adventure even when I was struggling to do something.

“Music was her life and she passed her passion to all of her pupils. Infact it was her who persuaded my parents to let me audition for Cheethams School of Music in Manchester and persue a music career.”

Lorna’s son Martin, 52, said: “Nearly everybody without fail has used the word ‘inspirational’ about her.

“She had long suffered from rheumatoid arthritus but carried on teaching regardless. Infact she was teaching up until eight weeks ago, so she never retired.

“She was very modest and much more proud of her pupil’s achievements than her own.

“But she was a superb musician and technically brilliant.”

Lorna, who was divorced, also leaves granddaughters Emily, 16, and Katie, 15. She lived in the Sunnyhurst area.

A service and cremation will take place at the West Chapel, Overdale Crematorium on Monday, November 2 at 11am. Former pupils and friends are invited.