THE founder of a "phenomenal" rock school has received the Evening Mail's Bouquet of the Week.

Lesley Harris set up South Lakes Rock School, which is now based at Victoria Hall in Rawlinson Street, Barrow, in 2012.

Since then, more tutors have joined the school and scores have enrolled on courses, learning to play the guitar, drums and keyboard, craft their performance skills and write their own compositions.

Ms Harris was presented with the Evening Mail's Bouquet of the Week by pupil Isabella Philipson, who has developed a passion for music after attending her weekly evening classes.

Ms Harris, who works at Furness Academy and lives in Ulverston, said: "It was lovely. It was a big surprise.

"I like to see them developing their skills. I love meeting new people. We jam out to classic rock songs.

"This will be the fourth year that we are open as South Lakes Rock School. We moved to Barrow last year as we have got our own premises now.

"We have a good team of tutors and we have a good rapport."

Pupils at the rock school have the option of sitting Trinity Rock and Pop music exams and take part in two live shows a year at The Forum, the highlight of months of practising for most of them.

The school takes pupils from the age of five upwards and has started to see students form their own rock bands with the hope of maybe one day emulating their rock heroes such as Nirvana and Led Zeppelin.

Lindsey Philipson, Isabella's mother, said: "Lesley is so dedicated; the rock school is just phenomenal.

"Isabella has attended the school for several years now and loves it; she is also going to join a rock band which the school are piloting.

"It has really increased her confidence which has impacted in other areas of her life too.

"The school has a real sense of family and everyone is so supportive.

"Lesley works tirelessly with the other tutors and I cannot thank her and her team enough for her input into my daughter's musical education."