Church organist has no plans to stop after 70 years

An organist who has played the same church organ for more than 70 years has said he has no plans to stop.

Keith Watts, 88, plays the reed organ at St Thomas a Becket Church in Lydlinch, Dorset, having started piano lessons at the age of nine before moving on to the organ.

He is thought to be one of the UK's longest-serving church organists, having played almost continuously since he was 15, with only a few breaks, including for national service and recovery from shoulder operations.

Watts said he fully intends to carry on, adding: "If I can do it I should keep going or else they chuck me out - one or the other."

Watts began cycling to nearby Henstridge for organ lessons before taking over playing duties at Lydlinch at the age of 14.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, he described how the role had changed over the decades.

He initially shared organ duties when the church held two services a day.

Arthritis in his hands later meant he again shared the role with another player.

"He sadly passed away and I've been permanent now for the last 20-odd years," he said.

Watts said very little had ever kept him away from his organ duties, including illness - but did once take a break after injuring his back when falling from a roof.

He also took time off to celebrate his wedding day.

Watts said he had lost his wife earlier this year, but that continuing to play had helped him through it.

He also spoke of the village's fundraising efforts for the church's bells, praising the "magnificent team of people" who had pulled together to raise money.

Describing the church's reed organ, which is more than a century old, he said it has "got no pipes" and works "like a giant accordion."