FOLK rock singer Newton Faulkner joined guests for an intimate gig to celebrate a Stockton Heath music school's sixth year in business.

The 33-year-old shot to fame in 2007 when his single 'Dream Catch Me' reached number seven in the UK singles chart, with his debut album Hand Built by Robots, certified double platinum in the UK, topping the UK albums chart and spending a year in the top 40.

Surrey-born Newton has since gone on to perform at a number of major festivals, including Glastonbury and V Festival, and more recently released his sixth studio album, Hit the Ground Running in September last year.

But earlier this month, the singer-songwriter brought his distinctive percussive sounds to an audience of 30 in Grappenhall as part of a series of 'house concerts'.

The event, hosted by Sixpence Voice Studio, was a celebration of its six year milestone – teaching people aged three and up to sing in Warrington.

It opened its doors in 2012, with the birth of the Sixpence Stage School two years later, following a demand for drama workshops in the area.

"I had been teaching for about 12 years, working for other people and all over the place, and I just wanted one hub where I could teach from," explained owner Sara Whittaker, from Ackers Pit.

"I was working for a lot of places that weren't giving students opportunities to sing, so they'd work really hard, pay the money, and that would be it. Whereas here we'll say 'let's do a showcase' or an open mic.

"I wanted somewhere in Stockton Heath where children could walk to and be a part of. I wanted to go 'right, Stockton Heath has got something now that will give people opportunities', even if it's standing in The Forge every Christmas singing carols."

Thirty-year-old-Sara started the school with a fully-booked diary and soon realised that an extra pair of hands was needed.

Dave Edgar, who was a mature student at the time, joined the team, which is now made up of around 10 self-employed mentors working across Sixpence's music and stage schools.

The 25-year-old, from Runcorn, said: "Teaching-wise, we want to give professional lessons, so if someone comes in and they have got big dreams, we can say 'yes, follow them, do it' and help them get there. But at the same time make it accessible to people who just want to come and enjoy singing.

"People come for the social aspect, others come because it's their time when they're not someone's mum, or needed at work, it's their time for them.

"People from all walks of life have come to sing at Sixpence. It's such a positive, little group of people."

In its six years in business, the school has become a huge part of the village community, regularly taking part in Stockton Heath

Festival and the annual walking day.

It has also enjoyed a number of successes, with eight of its students being cast for roles in last year's Morrison's Christmas advert.

"It doesn't feel like work to me, I'm quite fortunate in the fact that when I come in, it feels like a lovely group," added Sara.

"We are very proud of the community feel that Sixpence has, and how supportive everyone is of each other.

"I love how all the teachers are absolutely loved by their individual students, they are the best. Everyone is fiercely loyal to their teacher."

To mark previous anniversaries, the school hosted various events, including a ball and a circus, but Dan said there was no better way to celebrate six years of Sixpence than with a Newton Faulkner gig.

He said: "He put up that he was doing house concerts as part of his new album – and this is basically how all of our ideas get started – I'll say 'Oh wouldn't that be good' and it just happens.

"It had been booked for a good year or more, and then we finally got a date set up.

"We put out an open invite to students to come along and we had a really good mix. We had a few students, their family and friends and some of our own family and friends who have supported us through everything. Newton came along, did a set and hung around afterwards to meet everyone."

Sara added: "We're quite fortunate in a way that Sixpence always just rolls with things and it happens.

"If we were to do a party with everyone invited, there wouldn't be a space big enough because people who have dipped in and out will still speak highly of Sixpence. It's a lifetime thing.

"By having such an intimate gig and by putting it out to a select few people, to the people who really loved him, it was perfect.

"I think everybody that attended couldn't believe that he was beyond cool. He just lent against the wall and was singing all these songs.

"He soon realised that the room was full of music students and mostly singers, giving us harmony parts to sing. It was surreal."