SALISBURY Cathedral’s world-famous Father Willis organ will be heard in concert for the last time on Wednesday (October 10) before it undergoes extensive restoration work.

The instrument will be out of action from January 2019 while the 14-month renovation programme is carried out.

The recital will feature all three of Salisbury Cathedral’s organists - David Halls, the director of music, John Challenger, the deputy director of music) and organ scholer Alex Palotai - in a programme made up entirely of requests by members of the public.

As with the successful Organ Prom which saw more than700 people coming to the cathedral to hear music they had selected, the music team were again inundated with requests for this recital.

There will be music for all tastes ranging from J S Bach, to Herbert Howells and Olivier Messiaen.

While this will be the last recital for a while, work on the organ is not due to start until the end of the year so Father Willis can still be heard at services including the three Darkness to Light Processionals at end of November and the Christmas services.

The cathedral’s assistant director of music, John Challenger, said: “This is a swansong for our fantastic Father Willis Organ in concert, before it is dismantled at the start of next year. It is a sad occasion, but it is also an opportunity to rejoice in the wonderful sounds of our historic organ, which will return fully-restored in 2020.”

The repairs are likely to cost upwards of £700,000 and the cathedral is fundraising to cover costs.

Tickets available at salisburycathedral.org.uk and on the door (£10, £7.50 for wheelchair users).