A specialist music therapy room funded by the foundation of the late singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, has opened at a hospice for seriously-ill children.  

The dedicated music space inside Haven House's holistic care centre was opened by Amy's parents Mitch and Janis Winehouse yesterday after they provided a grant of £41,000 to build the pioneering music room. 

Parents whose children are cared for at the Woodford Green hospice attended the launch alongside former Eastenders actress Barbara Windsor, and were able to watch a session take place.

Mitch Winehouse said: "This project was a perfect fit with the aim of the foundation and Amy’s musical legacy and we were really keen to make it happen.

"Coming down to the hospice and seeing the children and families enjoying music therapy in a room dedicated to my daughter was a very special experience for me and my family."

Music therapist Maeve Rigney says music as an "invaluable tool" for many of the children.

She added: "Music therapy can help the most withdrawn and inhibited children because we all have the power to respond to music, despite disability or illness.