Pipe down? Not a chance

A TEENAGE piper who appeared on The Voice Kids had a town centre busking session cut short by police – but was undeterred and plans to be back today.

Mark Morrison, 15, showed off his talents on the show a few weeks ago and made it to the last 44 contestants.

During the lockdown, the schoolboy has been visiting care homes to sing and play the bagpipes and he has also raised more than £2500 for the NHS and charities, as well as donating three iPads to critical care units.

The talented teen had been entertaining crowds in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, last Saturday when he was told to cut short his performance, which was to raise funds to buy a new kilt.

Cops asked him for a licence which his mum, Mhorag, was sure Mark didn’t need – and which Argyll and Bute Council confirmed was not required.

A neighbour had complained about the noise but many people in the town voiced their support for Mark. Mhorag, 49, said: “I was a bit shocked, I’d looked online and didn’t think he’d need a licence. I didn’t think a boy and his bagpipes standing in a square would be an obstruction.”

Police said a member of the public had complained.

They added: “Local officers attended and informed the bagpiper of the complaint and he finished his performance.

“No licences or permits are required by street performers in such circumstances but the noise must be kept at a reasonable level. No offence was committed on this occasion.

“Visitors to the town centre appreciate such performances but one or two local residents are understandably less impressed when they have no choice but to listen to these performances in their nearby houses.

“Local residents are asked to be tolerant of such performances for limited periods at reasonable times especially when they are for worthwhile and charitable causes and widely appreciated by many members of the public.”