As a headteacher he helped inspire generations of children in St Ives.

And Tony Burgess’ legacy will continue to help inspire future generations of children thanks a music bursary that has been set up in his name.

The popular former head of Westfield School, who was also a governor of St Ivo as well as one of the leading campaigners who helped save the town’s Corn Exchange and get it refurbished and re-opened, died aged 66 in September 2012.

His fellow campaigners – who are now part of the friends of the Corn Exchange group, ACE – have already named one of the venue’s rooms in his honour and are now launching the search to find the first recipients of the Tony Burgess Music Bursary Fund.

A spokesman said: “Tony, who was the first chairman of ACE, had a great love of music and as a keen amateur musician he was an inspiration to the students he met and taught, and encouraged them to make the most of their musical talent.

“It is with pride therefore that ACE – Friends of St Ives Corn Exchange – announce the establishment of a music bursary in his name. The aim of the bursary is to help and encourage young musicians between the ages of seven and 18 years to develop their musical talents.”

The main criteria for the selection of applications are musical potential and financial need.

Applicants need to live in St Ives or surrounding villages, and must complete an application form and submit it along with the required documentation before the closing date of March 31. A second round closes on September 30.

Awards will vary at the discretion of the bursary committee and, as the fund is limited, not every request will be able to be met.

INFORMATION: For an application form, write to: The Administrator, The Tony Burgess Music Bursary Fund, c/o 10 Rookery Close, St Ives PE27 5FX. You can also call 01480 467094.