Honour for competition's founder

Fanny Waterman was born and brought up in Leeds

Leeds is to honour the founder of its international piano competition.

Fanny Waterman, 83, will be made a freeman of the city at a ceremony at the Civic Hall on 1 April.

The competition was started in 1961 by Dr Waterman and the then Countess of Harewood, Marion Thorpe. It is now one of the country's premier music events.

Dr Waterman said: "It is the greatest honour I have ever received and being a proud native of Leeds makes it all the more special."

Native city

The leader of Leeds City Council, Keith Wakefield, said: "Dr Waterman has touched the lives of many with her musical talent and created a competition with a world-wide reputation.

"Despite travelling the globe with her music, Dr Waterman has always remained loyal to her native city."

Dr Waterman began giving public performances in Leeds before she was 21 and went on to win a scholarship to the Royal College of Music.

In 1943 she returned to Leeds to teach piano at her old school, Chapel Allerton High (now Allerton High,) while continuing to give recitals around the country.

She has written many books on playing the piano.