The 46-year-old from Warwick, who attends Emscote Day Services, has severe learning difficulties and finds it hard to communicate. When he started music therapy sessions he was nervous and was uncomfortable with musical instruments.

But, after three months of lessons, he is confident enough to go to the piano himself - and loves strumming the guitar.

County music service therapist Patricia Herdianto said: "Donald is a charming man and has benefited greatly from the sessions. The change in him over the past 14 weeks has been amazing."

Music therapy is a way of helping people with difficulties relax, interact with others and express and explore their emotions.

The day centre had run small group sessions but Mr Ingleby had not felt comfortable in these.

Staff felt he would benefit from individual lessons and applied to the Mervyn Jeffries Wishes and Dreams fund, which pays for people with learning difficulties to undertake activities they would not normally be able to.

At first progress was uncertain. Mr Ingleby would pace about the room and was too anxious to play but Mrs Herdianto gradually helped him feel at ease with the instruments.

She said: "I started by playing to Donald and following him as he walked, offering different instalments.

"In the last four sessions Donald was completely relaxed, he would approach the piano himself, and particularly loved the guitar. He enjoys strumming while I do the chords."

Emscote Day Services deputy manager Suzanne Hotten said the benefits for Mr Ingleby had been so great the centre was looking for extra funding so he could continue playing music.

She added: "Donald doesn't communicate easily with other people a lot of the time but music is a way he wants to interact and be involved with."

The Mervyn Jeffries Wishes and Dreams Fund was set up in memory of the late Mervyn Jeffries, who worked with Warwickshire Social Services to help older people and people with learning disabilities.

His former colleagues now undertake fundraising for the cause, which aims to give learning disabled people the chance to fulfil their wishes and dreams.