An octogenarian accordian player has been honoured for his music in his home county of Leitrim, Ireland.

Thomas P McLoughlin, of Farley Hill, Luton, is the first musician to receive the special medallion and certificate of appreciation at the Leitrim Fleadh.

And the talented 83-year-old, who learned traditional Irish music from his mother, was told about the honour on his birthday.

His wife Joan said: 'We got a letter that arrived on the morning of his birthday. It was an invitation to go home to be honoured for his music. I told him about it and he said 'You're joking?'. He was delighted, he was over the moon.'

Tom P, as he is known to his friends, travelled to the Emerald Isle with 20 members of his family for the celebration weekend.

Daughter Carmel Machin was amazed by the welcome her parents received.

She said: 'They treated them like royalty the whole weekend. It was just so lovely the way they welcomed them. They made them feel so special.'

Tom P and Joan visit Leitrim twice or three times every year for weddings, parties and holidays.