Former Thomas Mills pupil Ed Sheeran has spoken out on Instagram about how cuts to the funding of music in state schools, which benefitted him growing up, could damage the music industry.

In the post Ed described how his own career had been aided by the music lessons he had received while at school in Suffolk.

Writing on his Instagram account Ed said:“I feel very strongly about this.

“I benefited hugely from state school music, as I’m sure many other UK musicians have.

“If you keep cutting the funding for arts you’re going to be damaging one of Britain’s best and most lucrative exports. Anyway, one to think about x”

Next to the message Ed included a picture of a headline from a recent article by the Financial Times which highlighted concerns about the decline in the amount of music lessons being taught at state schools and the impact it could have on new musical acts being produced like Ed, Adele and Stormzy.

Many users on Instagram agreed with Ed’s concerns and suggested that similar problems existed outside the UK.

Music industry association the BPI revealed earlier this month export revenues for the industry grew by 12% in 2017 driven by what it described as “phenomenal global demand” for Ed Sheeran’s third album Divide.