A guitar donated by the Chippenham-based project that raised money for the new Eddie Cochran memorial has been presented to Hardenhuish School.

Eddie Cochran, famous for the hits Summertime Blues and C'mon Everybody, died in a car accident on Rowden Hill in Chippenham in 1960 when he was just 21. He was a pioneer of rock 'n' roll, and his music was a huge influence on rock music.

The project, funded by fans and local businesses DeMarchi Engineering, Prangle and Carey and Sterling Services, also donated guitars to schools, including Hardenhuish School in Chippenham.

Mark Collins of DeMarchi Engineering, himself a former Hardenhuish pupil, went to the school in Hardenhuish Lane last Tuesday to present the guitar to pupils.

Following the presentation, Debbie Workman, curriculum leader of music at Hardenhuish said:

“It is a beautiful instrument and, judging from the reaction of those present, I am sure it will be in high demand from our guitarists and will certainly inspire them."

The new £5000 memorial, unveiled on Rowden Hill in October, has three steps to echo Cochran's hit Three Steps To Heaven, which became a UK number one following his death.