Students from a Shropshire drama group are enjoying playing in a virtual orchestra and learning new skills – thanks to money donated from the trust fund of their friend Joanne Harris, who died last year.

The Wii was purchased with funds donated to the pre-foundation drama group at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology from the Joanne Harris Trust.

Jo, 25, who had Down’s Syndrome, died in April after an infection. Before she died, she was busy rehearsing for the group’s production of Titanic.

Nigel Gwilt, pre-foundation tutor, said the pupils had been using the Wii during the snowy weather.

He said: “Joanne would have loved playing on the Wii. She was full of fun and the games have brought a lot of laughter and enjoyment into the classroom.”

Students can also play on a virtual orchestra and this has led to them making hand-made instruments. 

Jo captured the hearts of millions of television viewers after her friend Craig Phillips, formerly of Newport, shot to fame after winning the first series of Big Brother reality show.

Mr Phillips donated his £70,000 winnings to an appeal set up to fund a lung and heart transplant for her after his Big Brother victory in 2000.

Jo’s aunt Viv McCarthy said she was delighted the drama group had found such a good use for the money donated to them.

She added: “The drama group put on a special production in memory of Jo. Jo absolutely loved drama and even when she was sick, she was practising her lines for Titanic.”