IT took Bolton music Service six months to organise the delivery of a 36-piece Indonesian orchestra, but when the instruments arrived there was just one problem . . .

Music service staff had no way of moving the eight foot crate containing the orchestra off the back of the lorry!

However, staff from Bolton's Barton Grange Garden Centre came to the rescue with a forklift truck and driver.

Once off the wagon, the crate took two days to unpack.

Ian Bamford, the Service's World Music Specialist and the man behind getting the orchestra to Bolton, said: "It felt like every birthday and Christmas rolled into one. I didn't know what treasure I was going to discover next and not only does everything sound fantastic, it looks incredible.

"The craftsmanship is unbelievable -- it is a work of art."

The instruments are called a Gamelan -- which means an ensemble of tuned percussion consisting mainly of gongs, metallophones and drums originating from the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali.

Master Gamelan maker Suhirdjan from Java has handcrafted the pieces which have arrived in Bolton.

Members of the public will be able to sample the distinctive sights and sounds of the Gamelan at an open day at The Music Centre on Tuesday. Sessions will run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.

And furthermore junior and senior ensembles are being created. Juniors must be aged between 10 and 13 years, while adults will be invited to attend weekly sessions every Thursday, 8pm to 9.30pm. No prior musical knowledge is necessary.

For further details contact Ian Bamford at the Music Centre on 333533.