Cheshire East Council leader, Sam Corcoran, has delved into the history of the famous Spitfire designer, Reginald Mitchell and his local links in his new role as President of the North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra.

Reginald Mitchell grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and his presence will be remembered at the next concert of the North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra on January 22nd which will open with Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue.

Sam Corcoran, who visited the Spitfire gallery at Hanley Museum to rsearch the famous designer said: "Reginald Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire, was born in Butt Lane and attended Hanley High School.

"I am looking forward to seeing the North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest amateur orchestras in the country, performing Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue."

The concert takes place at St Thomas More Catholic Academy concert hall in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

Longton Hall Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2NJ features British composers including Vaughan Williams symphony No 2 (London) and the Scottish composer Ian Rae's Pacific Concerto for tuba and orchestra.

The concert will be the first for 23 years without Munroe Blair at the helm.

Munroe stepped down as President of the North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra at their concert in November when he said: "I look forward to becoming an enthusiastic audience member at future NSSO concerts."