LIFE has improved greatly for 15-year-old David Armour since he started playing the bagpipes - for it has cured his asthma, as well as turning him into a star performer.

The condition left David unable to take part in sports or PE lessons at his school in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Now, he can not only enjoy exercise, but is proving to be the finest young player that Pipe Major Barry Waldron has known.

David's mother, Janet, who is a community matron, remembered an old saying that asthma could be eased by playing a wind instrument.

So she asked Mr Waldron, a family friend who lives in Staindrop, to give him some bagpipe lessons - and the results were dramatic.

David's health improved within weeks, and his skirling became so skilful that he has been sent to the Royal College of Piping, in Glasgow, four times to gain certificates.

Mrs Armour, of Windermere Drive, West Auckland, said: "He wheezed all the time and could not do any exercise. Then I remembered the saying I heard years and years ago.

"The change since he started the bagpipes has been remarkable. His asthma has vanished."

Mr Waldron, who runs Richmond Town Pipe Band, of which David is now a member, said: "I am staggered at how brilliant a piper he has become since he started two years ago. He is a real star - the finest I've known in this area.

"He did really well to go to Glasgow and gain his first certificate, but to go back three more times and gain more certificates so quickly makes him remarkable.

"Piping makes you control your breathing and strengthens the lungs, so it can help asthma sufferers."

David said: "I haven't the faintest trace of asthma now. I feel great now that I can do sports and PE, and I really love playing the pipes with the band."

His father, also David, is a mechanic who was born in Glasgow, so he is thrilled with his son's piping success.

The band rehearses in the village hall at Winston, near Barnard Castle, from 6pm every Wednesday. Mr Waldron said people of any age who want to learn the bagpipes are welcome - whether or not they have asthma.