A Croydon school has been gifted a grand piano after winning a public vote.

Centrale & Whitgift shopping centre gave away a Yamaha baby grand piano to local Croydon school, Orchard Park High School, just in time for Christmas.

Orchard Park were one of three schools shortlisted to be in with a chance of winning. The power was in the hands of Croydon to choose the winner, via a public vote in centre on Saturday November 24. Orchard Park High School was the firm favourite to win, receiving a huge percentage of the public vote.

Ian Harvey, Centrale & Whitgift Marketing Manager, comments: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to giveaway our Yamaha baby grand piano to such a deserving winner, and right before Christmas! This piano will be at the heart of assemblies, concerts, musicals and lessons at Orchard for years to come; and we’re over the moon to be a part of that.”

Orchard Park High School said: “We are so excited to have been given such an amazing opportunity, it’s like the universe sent Centrale to us!

"We’re currently re-building our music and performing arts department, and desperately need good quality instruments.

"We will use the piano in our assemblies, in our new 1-1 piano lessons, in our concerts and at our upcoming music concert on December 19.

"The musical palace is ready to be built, we just needed the tools.”