“You mustn’t blame people for being there when they’re ‘too young’,” commented Morpurgo. “At my concerts I’ve had people who bring children who wriggle and scream — it’s fine, it’s part of it.”

Morpurgo’s version of The Pied Piper of Hamelin is being set to music by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and, as he told The Times, he was surprised to learn that promotional material advises only children aged seven years and over will be suitable.

“There are going to be half a dozen children who are going to be bowled over by hearing an orchestra and two or three years hence they’re going to pick up a violin and they’re going to love it. It’s life-changing.”