The saying goes 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' – but not in the case of one musician, who has cut his first disc at the age of 90.
George Lee, from Thornton, had always dreamt of learning to play an instrument, but felt the opportunity had passed him by.
The war veteran, however, is now basking in the satisfaction of having completed a record, 10 years after his first music lesson.
"Over the years I've always loved music, any kind," said George, who used to enjoy going to tea dances at the Palais, in Leicester, as a young man and going to the pictures to watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
"But I think country and western is my favourite, and Johnny Cash in particular – I like his song Ring of Fire.
"I remember having one or two piano accordion lessons as a youngster, but it didn't go anywhere. Life takes over."
George chose the auto harp, a zither-type instrument popular in country music and played by the likes of June Carter Cash.
"I was on a day trip to York with my wife Christine 10 years ago when we came across a busker playing an auto harp.
"I thought 'I like that sound'. I spoke to this chap for a while and decided to buy one," he said.
George approached Melton music teacher and musician Dan Briton about lessons, and made such good progress he soon picked up the ukulele, too.
"It was something to do with my time and Dan is a very good teacher.
"I enjoyed it so much and as I practised and learnt more chords, I got better and better."
George's growing prowess culminated last month when his family arranged, as a 90th birthday present, for him and Dan to record together at the Leicester studios of sound engineer and musician Neal Segrott.
"I felt a bit nervous to start with, but I ended up having a wonderful time. When I got home my wife said I looked 10 years younger."
The pair recorded half-a-dozen tracks for the CD, with George playing the ukulele and auto harp and singing harmony.
They include You Are My Sunshine, Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (famously sung by Bing Crosby), Big Rock Candy Mountain and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Neal has previously worked with Leicester singer-songwriter Jersey Budd, the late harmonica player Larry Adler and was tour sound engineer for virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.
"We love George," he said. "It was a special afternoon. He just rolled up with Dan and they got behind the mic and started playing.
"I normally work with much younger musicians so it as a nice change to have a 90-year-old in the studio. He was great."
George, who spent 37 years as a toolmaker with Coventry Gauge and Tool, in Ratby, said: "I'm living proof that old dogs can learn new tricks."
He is now struggling to keep up with demand for his record from friends and family – including two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He said: "They all want one. I'm thinking about going back and recording some more.
"It's given me a great sense of satisfaction and kept me feeling young."
Listen to George's sounds here: