The Landmark Arts Centre has been praised as a "fantastic space" by the chair of a local music group.

Last week Richmond Orchestra's strings section assembled in the Teddington venue where they performed Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.

It was the first time the musicians had performed together in four months.

Orchestra chair Hugh Rogers lives in Waldegrave Road.

He said: "The Landmark is fantastic. It's about the only space we have got available to use in the borough where you can have an orchestral concert.

"If we were to lose it, it would be a great shame.

"When we hold a concert there, it's a sell-out. If we've got a maximum 200 seats, we'll sell 200 seats."

The arts centre in Ferry Road has been largely closed as a public space throughout lockdown and has repeatedly appealed to the public for donations to keep it running.

But next month, on August 1, it will reopen for the Summer Arts School.

A superbly organised string evening

Richmond Orchestra members were thrilled after playing together again.

Hugh said: "It was staggering how many people said how excited they were about being able to play a musical instrument in an ensemble again, having only been able to practice in their bedrooms for the past four months.

"If you're a musician, what you enjoy is the feeling of making music together."

Violinist Kay Greetham told him: "I just wanted to thank you and congratulate you on a superbly organised string evening on Wednesday. No detail left to chance!

"And what a great time we all had, I know everyone loved it, and what's more we sounded amazing too after all the months of not playing."