A CHARITY named after a Bewdley woman has been set up in her memory to inspire talented young musicians and artists across Wyre Forest and Worcestershire .

The Helen Rachael Mackaness Charitable Trust aims to promote the education of budding young local musicians and artists by using a new £1.3 million pot to award individual grants , scholarships and funding to local schools and colleges for education programmes .

Established by a group of local trustees , which include Maynard Burton, partner and chairman at Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors, the charity was formed following a bequest in the 87-year-old’ s will after her death in 2010.

Miss Mackaness , who left her whole estate to various charities , with the balance being dis-tributed in accordance with the trust, was a trained musician and related to 18th-century British landscape and watercolour painter Ju lius Caesar Ibbetson.

Bewdley born and bred, her father was a dentist, who practised from the family home, The Hawthorn Bush, in Bewdley .

Miss Mackaness was interested in the arts throughout her life and was dedicated to preserving the environment and financially supported many causes .

Mr Burton said: “The trust has been set up to help influence and benefit local musicians and artists .

“All of the trustees are absolutely delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile cause .

“Not only will we issue grants to cover scholarships at universities and colleges, but we will also provide all the educational materials, instruments and equipment needed to help young people succeed.”

As part of her will, Miss Mackaness also left seven acres of land in Bewdley to the Worcestershire Wi ldlife Trust. It is now dedicated as a site of special scientific interest.

The trust has also purchased the adjoining six-acre field.

Schools, colleges and other organisations interested in applying for funding from the trust should contact Rachel Summers at mfg Solicitors through rachel.

summers@mfgsolicitors .co