At first glance it looks like a scene that wouldn't be out of place in Alice in Wonderland, a series of enchantingly small musical instruments.

Pupils at Craigholme School Nursery in Pollokshields on the southside of Glasgow have been learning to play using 1/16 size violins.

"They are tiny - they look like doll's violins," said nursery manager Karen Grant. "They are specially sized to be used by three and four year olds.

"It gives them a chance to play with real instruments and develop an appreciation for music. The thinking behind it is to get the children interested in music at a young age and hopefully develop a love for it.

"It is almost like teaching them another language. There is research which has found learning music at a young age can help with English skills later on."

Violin teacher Elaine Sexton comes in each week to teach the children using a special technique called the Suzuki method.

"It is not about teaching them to read music, it teaches them to listen to the pitch and sound of the notes then play from memory," said Ms Grant.

This is the third year the nursery school has run the music lessons and currently there is 23 pupils who regularly participate.

"Parents can also come along and observe or they themselves can take part," said Ms Grant.

"We do have a parent this year who is a music teacher at another school. She doesn't play violin but has come in to have lessons so she can help support her daughter who is learning to play."