A clever musician who set up a company to help children learn to play music is celebrating the business's first birthday today (Tuesday).

Hannah graduated with a first-class degree in music in 2014 and taught the piano in primary schools before leaving to work in the corporate sector.

Hannah, who has been playing the piano since a child, decided to leave the corporate world and set up her own business.

Hannah Donkin

During lockdown, Hannah moved to her parents' home in Alsager but a while back she moved to her own home in Sandbach where Music Squad is now based.

Since setting up Music Squad, the business has gone from strength to strength and Hannah has written books to go with her teaching.

She is also in the process of launching a 'Squad Stars' app to support the students.

And she has said a big thank you to all those children who have signed up to the business and made it grow from strength to strength.

Hannah said on Social Media: "A year ago today I was heading into Music Squad's first ever school to teach the first ever Squaddie, using the first Squad Star book for the first ever time!

"Today, seven of us all over the North West are heading into 13 different schools to teach over 150 Squaddies through individual lessons and an after-school club, Keyboard Squad.

"The books are everywhere and a Squad Stars app has (almost) been created to support them too.

"Whilst Music Squad is all about being fun, silly and joyful, I'm just taking a second to be serious because clearly there is a need for this!

"The well-being benefits of learning an instrument are so immense. There's a reason 150 Squaddies have fallen in love with how Music Squad makes them feel.

"I can't wait to make more Squaddies feel really good about themselves through music.

"Thank you so much for believing in the Squad – it's only going to get better!"

And birthday celebrations aren't the only thing on Hannah's mind – she is also a finalist in the Best Business Women awards.

Hannah has been selected for the Best New Business category and the Best Businesswoman Working with Families and Children.

Good luck from Nub News – we wish you all the best in these awards and the future.