A music school whose alumni include the likes of Garbage’s Shirley Manson and the late Martyn Bennet looks set to close following cuts by Edinburgh council.

The City of Edinburgh Music School, based at Broughton High in Comely Bank, is likely to suffer under £363,000-a-year budget cuts with the specialist facilities at the school to be redistributed at four sites across the city.

Speaking to the Edinburgh News, Green education spokeswoman Mary Campbell said: “It is important that there is a provision, open to all, within the public sector, rather than only for those who can afford private tuition.”

However, the Council’s Education convener Ian Perry claimed the new arrangement could reach more children, saying: “The school would be delivered in several sites across the city so fulfilling our commitment for developing our gifted and talented pupils.”