A piano which late musical legend Russ Conway used to compose some of his greatest hits has failed to generate the expected interest at auction.

The German, all-white Steck piano was placed for auction on the internet, with bids starting at £1,000.

The instrument was used by Mr Conway to compose hits including Side Saddle, China Tea and Snow Coach.

Mr Conway, real name Trevor Stanford, gave the piano to his former road manager before his death from cancer in Eastbourne in 2000.

Its owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, hoped to raise more than £10,000 through its sale and and make a donation to a school or youth club to buy instruments.

But despite getting inquiries from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, few firm offers have surfaced.

The owner became friends with Mr Conway, one of the late Queen Mother's favourite musicians, when he met him in his dressing room at the London Palladium.

Within months he was on Mr Conway's team of staff, working as his valet and bodyguard and later his road manager.