A £50,000 music tour through Europe was on the verge of being cancelled for the first time in 30 years until a local politician "saved" the day.

Just two days before more than 70 youngsters from the Bromley Youth Music Trust were due to jet off on a tour of Austria and Hungary, they were told their booking company was in "financial difficulties".

It left them without flights, hotels and concert halls.

Organisers immediately told parents the trip was cancelled but received a standing ovation when, 24 hours later, they explained that Beckenham MP Jacqui Lait had stepped in and agreed to let the trust use £24,000 she had donated in November.

Principal of the Bromley Youth Music Trust Mike Purton says his team used the cash to quickly book new hotels, music venues and flights.

He said: "Jacqui Lait saved the tour. I didn't feel comfortable taking the money from the fund because we were hoping to save it for a rainy day.

"But when I called Jacqui she said that she couldn't think of a more rainy day."

The trust, funded by Bromley Council, has been successfully running tours since 1980 and helps 6,000 kids a year to sing or play an instrument.

Mr Purton, 56, fears he will not recoup all of the cash.

He said: "This is the closest the trust has ever come to cancelling a tour.

"We are insured but getting the money back may be difficult.

"We have used the tour company for years and this is just unprecedented.

"I am so grateful for all the people who helped rescue the tour - if we get any money back we will try and refund parents."

The trust, based in Southborough Lane, Bromley, had originally organised a nine-day tour with parents paying £750 for their children to take part.

But young musicians ended up taking two different flights to Hungary on July 19 and July 20 - two days later than scheduled.

They returned from the tour last Friday (July 25).

Jacqui Lait MP said: "I was happy to help the trust out in this debacle. There is no point in raising the money if your not going to use it.

"I must admit I was surprised that they used it so quickly but when Mike got in touch it was clearly a time of need."