SHOPPERS are being encouraged to ‘tickle the ivories’ — after a piano was donated to Bolton Market.

The instrument has been gifted to the market by trader Diane Whittingham as it belonged to her mother.

It has been given pride of place in the popular food court in the Lifestyle Hall — and people are being asked to entertain their fellow shoppers with a tune or two.

Jennie Whittingham ran the Knightsbridge School of Music in Farnworth until two years ago — and when traders decided the market’s lifestyle hall could do with a musical touch, Diane thought it would be the perfect addition.

The 55-year-old who runs the Mystic Emporium said: “Mum had the piano at her studios and when she retired it stayed at the school.

“After donating it to the lifestyle hall it has proved really popular, lots of people who are passing through have chosen to sit down and have a play.”

One such player is fellow market trader Charles Hool who runs the John Hool herbal unit in the market.

After taking piano lessons as a youngster he has kept up the hobby and has found it hard to keep away from the instrument since its introduction to the market.

The 65-year-old said: “I came and had a go on the first morning it was here — I just couldn’t resist.

“I just think it is really fun and its also a lovely piano.

“I mainly play songs from 1930s, one time I was playing the Charleston and an older chap just started dancing next to me — I thought he was going to break his leg.

“I keep asking my wife to watch the shop while I come and play, I don’t think she has got sick of it just yet.”

The piano has attracted younger musicians as well, with 18-year-old Zak Walters from Farnworth choosing to have a play whenever he is passing through the market.

He said: “I just noticed it when I was walking past one time and now I play it every time I am here — I have only been teaching myself for two months but its nice to be able to play to a bit of an audience.”

The lifestyle hall opened in January after a £4.5 million revamp.