A pioneering social change programme is helping to transform the lives of children in an Aberdeen community through music.

Recent research has revealed that "Big Noise Torry" has enhanced particpants' ability to learn in school, as well as improving emotinal well-being.

Big Noise provides free, immersive instrumental music tuition, as well as an orchestra programme, to pupils and pre-school children in Torry's Walker Road and Tullos primaries.

It currently works with more than 500 local school children aged three to nine years in Torry, which is ranked as one of the most deprived areas of Scotland.

The study, lead by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH), researched 130 of the children and also identified improvements in the confidence and esteem in those taking part.

Senior public health research specialist at GCPH, Chris Harkins, said: "Our research demonstrates that the Big Noise Torry programme is already having positive impacts on the wellbeing, education and learning of participants as well as on the development of important social and life skills.

"We found that the strong partnerships which exist with local schools and the broader community, the intensity and accessibility of Big Noise alongside the teaching methods used by the musicians, are pivotal to the positive impacts observed to date.

"Importantly Big Noise is effectively engaging children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Looking to the future, if the programme continues to engage with children and the community in this way, it will have a central role to play in the regeneration of Torry over the long term."